Chemistry Colloquium: Tackling Cancer and Infection with Light-Responsive Molecules

Professor Sherri McFarland will be presenting the Chemistry & Biochemistry Colloquium.

Dr. McFarland is a Professor of Chemistry at University of Texas, Arlington

Photomedicine is an interdisciplinary field where chemistry and light meet to fight disease. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a special branch of photomedicine that employs a sensitizer molecule, light, and oxygen to destroy target cells with spatiotemporal selectivity. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we have introduced both synthetic compounds and natural products as photosensitizers for PDT. Our TLD1433 (Ruvidar®) has successfully completed a Phase 1 clinical trial and is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for treating bladder cancer with PDT. Our product PhytoLight® completed Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials and is commercially available for mitigating oral biofilm in dentistry. This seminar will share some of our stories in developing metallodrug photosensitizers for treating bladder cancer and photoactive plant extracts for improving oral health. If time permits, some new directions will be highlighted.