Jaclyn O'Brien - Chemistry

Jaclyn is working on a project studying interactions between molecules using fluorescence chemistry.  Fluorescence is the emission of light by an excited molecule, so that the molecule lights up under certain conditions.  Fluorescence can be used to study interactions between molecules since it is a very easy property to measure and is highly sensitive.  In Jaclyn’s research, she introduced small fluorescent “guest” molecules into the cavities of large, nonfluorescent “host” molecules, called cucurbiturils, to enhance the fluorescence of the guest.  To understand the principle involved, think of Jack O’lantern with the pumpkin as host and the guest as the candle.  As the guest enters the host, its fluorescence increases, or the candle becomes lit, just like in a Jack O’lantern.  Using this tiny “Jack O’lantern”-like process as a fluorescent sensor we were able to study the interactions between the cucurbituril host and a number of nonfluorescent guests.   The goal of this research project was to develop a fluorescent sensor that could be used to measure mathematical constants that describe how the nonfluorescent host and any kind of guest molecule bind together.  A number of these binding constants, which indicate complex stability, were obtained.