Live cell super-resolution microscopy assessment of targeted unimolecular nanomachines

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This proposal seeks to cement the scientific collaboration further between Prof. Jim Tour and Dr. Robert Pal. Our combined research aim is to develop and test small molecular agents that once activated by low dosage of Ultra-violet light can selectively destroy cancerous cells and tissues.This collaboration has been established, when Prof. Tour visited Durham as the 2015 Durham Lecturer at our department. Prof. Tour proposed a, yet unanswered, scientific challenge as part of one of his lectures, that due to my research expertise and available instrumentation I was able to propose a series of experiments to answer with. Exactly one year and lots of hard work later now we are in the fortunate position that our collective findings have been submitted to Nature and is currently under review of publication. As a result of this well-oiled collaboration not only this mutually beneficial milestone have been met, but a further more extensive NIH research grant have been submitted 12/2016 to facilitate the synthesis of the next generation of complexes to be studied at Durham (decision pending). However, the above mentioned proposal would only facilitate research staff and consumables cost to be met at Rice University. Up to this date Dr. Pal as a Royal Society URF, who as a URF is severely limited to apply for funding to undertake such activity, had no associated funding to visit Prof. Tour's lab, a visit that would facilitate mutual knowledge exchange and the establishment of a suitable optical microscopy facility to conduct any required preliminary screening of active compounds before the subsequent Durham live cell evaluation. There is no better way to showcase the scientific timeliness and magnitude of our combined research area than the 2016 Nobel Prize in chemistry, that has been awarded for 'Molecular Machines', and the 2014 Nobel Chemistry Prize what has been awarded for 'Super-resolution microscopy'. This small travel grant could facilitate this and accelerate the future success of the project greatly.