The overall goal of this project is the detection and imaging of the serine protease TMPRSS2. The first chemical part focuses on the design and synthesis of “multi-modal” chemical probes to visualise serine proteases, in particular TMPRSS2.

Project description

The overall goal of this project is the detection and imaging of the serine protease TMPRSS2. The first chemical part focuses on the design and synthesis of “multi-modal” chemical probes to visualise serine proteases, in particular TMPRSS2. The then obtained smart activity-based probes will be used to complete the goal of the biomedical part of the project, which is of TMPRSS2 in a mouse model for colorectal cancer (CRC) and in blood samples of CRC and prostate cancer patients. Successful execution will lead to new diagnostic tools to detect TMPRSS2. The chemical tools will be readily applicable to other serine proteases as well, whereas the specific TMPRSS2 probes may also be used in other cancer types.

Belgian partners

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KULeuven)