Synthesis, Characterization and Cell Viability of Novel Tripodal Amines

Cancer, over the years, has become a much more prevalent focus for the scientific community. Organizations and laboratories all over the world have spent countless hours searching for a cure, trying to learn more about what makes cancer so powerful and what is the best way to stop its growth. Iron-chelation drugs were already on the market, and it was shown that they did have the ability to act as both iron-chelators and anticancer drugs. Most of these iron-chelating drugs are not as effective at killing cancer cells as the medical field desires. Novel iron-chelating tris-indolyl derivatives, GSO2, GSO4 and GSO6, were synthesized and tested for their potential anti-cancer properties. These compounds were characterized using both melting points and NMR. Apoptosis was the chosen method for cell death of the PC3 cells. The compounds, GSO2 and GSO4 did show promising results when tested on human prostate cancer cell lines. The success of these compounds does sanction further research into apoptosis of other human cancer cell lines

Analysis of trace evidence degraded by Aqua Regia solution via ICP-MS

Destruction of crucial evidence from a crime scene often hinders or even stops progress in the field of forensic science. There is little research done on the effects of intentionally submerging evidence in concentrated acids in an attempt to destroy information, and there are no standardized tests for this process. This project focuses on using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine changes in concentrated acids containing various types of organic, fibrous, and metal samples. In addition to ICP-MS, pH, temperature, and visual changes will be included in analysis. Aqua regia, a solution of concentrated nitric and hydrochloric acids is used, known for its highly corrosive nature and its ease of accessibility and availability. Both acids are present in most laboratories, easily accessible online, and therefore provide a basic yet solid baseline for the study of acids used by offenders. It is expected that materials that decompose faster, such as hair and cotton textiles, will cause no physical changes to the acid once the reaction has completed, and only temporary chemical changes. Stronger materials such as bone and metal should provide significant detectable physical and chemical changes to the acid solution