Jean Rockford, Physics and Biochemistry Major



Cellular Uptake of Merocyanine 540
Jean is investigating the cellular uptake of merocyanine 540 (MC 540) in A549 lung cancer cells and KB fibroblasts. A549 cells are known to be resistant to MC 540-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT). The sensitivity of KB cells is not known. Jean is determining dye uptake by extracting the dye from whole cells and measuring the absorption with a spectrophotometer. She is examining both dark uptake and light-enhanced uptake. The project is a continuation of Jody Kohut's project which showed that MC 540 localizes in the lysosomes of KB cells. Jean's project won second place at the 1998 SCAMP Science Fair.

Back to Main Page