# Designer Molecular Probes for Biomedical Applications

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2020 · $597,703

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract:
The PI is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), where in 2003 he
launched a multidisciplinary research program developing molecular probes that have led to
breakthroughs in Chemical Biology, Radiology, Cellular Genomics/Transcriptomics, and
Anesthesiology. In the course of this research, the PI has mentored 8 postdoctoral fellows, 25
graduate students, and 40 undergraduates, with many winning national awards and most
graduates pursuing careers in science and biomedicine. The PI's research draws on formal
training in supramolecular organic chemistry (Harvard-Mainz), bioinorganic and biophysical
chemistry (Caltech, Ph.D.), and biology/biomolecular imaging (Caltech, postdoc). The PI's
immersion for the past 15 years in the biomedical research enterprise at UPenn has burnished
this experience. Through key collaborations, the PI has tackled significant biomedical research
questions, using the tools of chemical synthesis, protein chemistry, and bioanalytical chemistry.
The PI's 85 peer-reviewed publications, 6 patents, 2 edited books and contributed book
chapters highlight a track record of productivity, innovation, impact, and dissemination in the
development and application of chemical tools for biomedical research. The PI's service
confirms a strong commitment to science education, outreach, community building, and junior
faculty mentoring. This MIRA award will extend the PI's highly successful GM-funded research
in three program areas: 1) molecular imaging using xenon-based MRI contrast agents; 2)
cellular transcriptome-in-vivo-analysis and mRNA regulation using light-activated
oligonucleotide probes; and, 3) elucidation of general anesthetic-protein interactions with novel
fluorescent probes, ultrasensitive 129Xe NMR spectroscopy, and other biophysical methods.
Significant goals of the next five-year period are to refine these probe-based technologies with
world-class research-collaborators at UPenn and establish high-value probes that can be
disseminated broadly to the biomedical research community. Collectively, these tools will
advance our molecular understanding of normal biological/biomedical processes (including
general anesthesia), and provide avenues for improved diagnosis and treatment of many
human diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and diabetes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10000952
- **Project number:** 5R35GM131907-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Ivan Julian Dmochowski
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $597,703
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10000952

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10000952, Designer Molecular Probes for Biomedical Applications (5R35GM131907-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10000952. Licensed CC0.

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