Standing
Undergraduate
Type of Proposal
Oral Research Presentation
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. John F. Trant
Proposal
Cancer cells have high levels of metabolism and proliferation, growing and dividing quickly while needing nutrients to support these high levels of activity. This activity creates acidic compounds as waste, which the cancer cells are rarely able to effectively clear themselves. Because the waste products cannot be cleared efficiently, most cancers have adapted to living in more acidic environments. This more acidic environment is rarely suitable for normal healthy cells, affecting the ability of immune cells to penetrate a tumour and still survive. Our goal is to increase the pH of the extracellular environment towards neutrality, and hence increase the survivability of healthy cells. This should then render the tumour susceptible to an immune response.
The primary aim of this project was to prepare proof-of-concept molecules that can target cancer cells and raise the pH of their environment. To do this we have prepared amine glycoconjugates, base-containing molecules that take advantage of the tumour cells high metabolic demands. This presentation will describe our synthetic approach of these compounds, their biological efficacy and the improved properties of Acetal-Free Carbohydrate analogues.
Availability
Tuesday (March 29) 12-3, Thursday (March 31) 12-3
Acetal-Free Carbohydrates and Cancer Cell pH Targeting
Cancer cells have high levels of metabolism and proliferation, growing and dividing quickly while needing nutrients to support these high levels of activity. This activity creates acidic compounds as waste, which the cancer cells are rarely able to effectively clear themselves. Because the waste products cannot be cleared efficiently, most cancers have adapted to living in more acidic environments. This more acidic environment is rarely suitable for normal healthy cells, affecting the ability of immune cells to penetrate a tumour and still survive. Our goal is to increase the pH of the extracellular environment towards neutrality, and hence increase the survivability of healthy cells. This should then render the tumour susceptible to an immune response.
The primary aim of this project was to prepare proof-of-concept molecules that can target cancer cells and raise the pH of their environment. To do this we have prepared amine glycoconjugates, base-containing molecules that take advantage of the tumour cells high metabolic demands. This presentation will describe our synthetic approach of these compounds, their biological efficacy and the improved properties of Acetal-Free Carbohydrate analogues.