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Andrzej M. Belzowski (Prof. M.A. Jones)
www.chem.ilstu.edu/stem
Detection of reactive nitrogen species within L. tarentolae induced
by carbaporhyrin ketal
“STEM summer research was a great experience of
what real life research is all about.” -A. Belzowski
At right: L. tarentolae with a nitric oxide specific fluorescent
probe, using confocal microscopy and, to the far right, the same
cell in transmission mode.
Andrzej practicing protein assay.
This project was a part of an effort to find a
treatment for leishmaniasis, diseases caused by
Leishmania parasites. The carbaporphyrin
dimethyl ketal was tested for its ability to induce
reactive nitrogen species (RNS), such as nitric
oxide. The production of nitric oxide induced by
carbaporphyrin ketal in L. tarentolae was detected
by confocal microscopy. Work to detect nitric
oxide by EPR is still in progress. Detection of
induced nitric oxide paves a way for new class of
drug treatments for leishmaniasis.