Systematic Development of Luminescent Inorganic and Organometallic Transition Metal Complexes as Labelling Reagents for Carbohydrates

The aim of this project is the design of luminescent inorganic and organometallic transition metal complexes as new labelling reagents for carbohydrates. Owing to the crucial role of carbohydrates in a wide range of biological systems, the detection of these biomolecules and studies of their interactions with biological receptors are of paramount importance. Although fluorescent organic labels have been developed and carbohydrates modified with transition metal complexes have been reported, a systematic design of luminescent transition metal complexes as labelling reagents for these important biomolecules has not been explored. Luminescent transition metal complexes are anticipated to be excellent labels in view of their interesting emission properties. In this project, new luminescent transition metal complexes containing a reactive functional group for conjugation to carbohydrates will be developed. Various carbohydrates will be labelled with these complexes. Additionally, the photophysical and biological properties of the resultant glycoconjugates will be investigated.