RESEARCH INTEREST

The cancer research in this group is focused on the development of new pro-drugs that can detect and destroy tumor cells. Photodynamic therapy is direct and has been heralded as a promising topical treatment. Since this treatment is activated by light, localization of the treatment is made possible. The prodrug is the key component that need be administrated orally and then activated by light to kill tumors. We are actively seeking new generations of prodrugs that can be efficiently delivered to tumor sites and exhibit desirable anti-tumor properties. The effort includes design, synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of prodrugs. This research is assisted by efforts in other areas such as nonlinear optical materials (in particular, two-photon absorption materials), molecular sensors, and chiral chemistry .

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