A single molecule can switch from green to red light the moment it detects a specific chemical target. These luminescent probes, built around europium and terbium ions, are designed to catch reactive oxygen and nitrogen species—short-lived molecules that are notoriously difficult to track. The problem is that these species matter enormously: they drive biological signalling, turn up in environmental pollutants, and even play a role in plasma-based cancer therapies, but their fleeting existence makes them nearly invisible to standard detection tools. The probes work by integrating metal-ligand coordination and hydrogen bonding to recognise targets with high selectivity. Time-resolved luminescence then filters out background noise, giving a clean, real-time signal. If successful, this approach could enable onsite environmental monitoring without bulky lab instruments, and improve our understanding of how reactive species behave in living systems. The research is fundamentally about molecular design and host-guest chemistry—it is curiosity-driven, with clear potential to feed into environmental sensing and biotechnology applications down the line.
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Project Summary: Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species play crucial roles in diverse fields including biological signalling, environmental pollution, and plasma-based cancer therapies. However, their short-lived nature and the complexity of their surroundings make detection challenging. This project addresses these challenges by developing luminescent molecules based on europium (Eu) and terbium (Tb) ions surrounded by macrocyclic ligands, tailored to enable selective and sensitive recognition of specific targets. Guided by our group's established lanthanide host-guest design principles, the probe molecules will integrate metal-ligand coordination, hydrogen bonding, and functional group recognition to achieve exceptional selectivity. These probes will emit a distinct luminescence change (e.g., green to red) upon interaction with their targets, providing a simple, real-time signal. Time-resolved luminescence measurements will enhance detection accuracy by distinguishing probe signals from background noise. The modular synthetic approach and versatility of these probes will enable their use across various media, including aqueous environments and vapour phases. This adaptability supports onsite applications without relying on large-scale laboratory instruments. The insights gained will advance our understanding of biological processes and improve environmental monitoring capabilities. Training and Collaboration: The PhD student will receive comprehensive training in organic synthesis, supramolecular host-guest interactions, and photophysical analysis of lanthanide complexes, along with expertise in assay development and testing under real-world conditions. They will work within the supportive environment of the Butler Group, collaborating with research partners and industrial stakeholders to gain interdisciplinary experience. This training will prepare the student for careers in academic research or industry, particularly in environmental and biotechnology sectors where synthetic and bioanalytical skills are in high demand. Therefore, there are many potential employability options for the student, in addition to postdoctoral opportunities in this highly active research field.
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