Bioinorganic Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Research in the Que lab is centered in bioinorganic chemistry and chemical biology. Our interdisciplinary research bridges the fields of coordination chemistry, synthetic chemistry, and chemical biology to gain a molecular understanding of biological processes including those in cancer and reproductive biology. We seek to develop small molecule imaging tools based on both organic and metal complex platforms that can be used for visualizing cellular processes in single cells, tissues, and whole organisms using a number of imaging modalities including fluorescence microscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In addition, chemical tools and methods will be developed to help us gain a quantitative understanding of how metal ions function in cells during key cellular transitions.

Marvin, R. G.; Wolford, J. L.; Kidd, M. J.; Murphy, S.; Ward, J.; Que, E. L.; Mayer, M. L.; Penner-Hahn, J. E.; Jaldar, K.; O’Halloran, T. V. “Fluxes in ‘Free’ and Total Zinc are Essential for Progression of Intraerythrocytic Stages of Plasmodium falciparum,” Chem. Biol. 2012, 19, 731-741.

Que, E. L.; New, E. J.; Chang, C. J. “A Cell-Permeable Gadolinium Contrast Agent for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Copper in a Menkes Disease Model,” Chem. Sci. 2012, 3, 1829-1834.

Que, E. L.; Chang, C. J. “Responsive Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents as Chemical Sensors for Metals in Biology and Medicine,” Chem. Soc. Rev. 2010, 39, 51-60.

Que, E. L.; Gianolio, E.; Baker, S. L.; Aime, S.; Chang, C.J. “A Copper-Activated Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agent with Improved Turn-On Relaxivity Response and Anion Compatibility,” Dalton Trans. 2010, 39, 469-476.

Que, E. L.; Gianolio, E.; Baker, S. L.; Wong, A. P.; Aime, S.; Chang, C.J. “Copper Responsive Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents,” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 8527-8536.

Que, E. L.; Domaille, D. W.; Chang, C. J. "Metals in Neurobiology: Probing Their Chemistry and Biology with Molecular Imaging," Chem. Rev. 2008, 108, 1517-1549.

Domaille, D. W.; Que, E. L.; Chang, C. J. "Synthetic Fluorescent Sensors for Studying the Cell Biology of Metals," Nat. Chem. Biol. 2008, 4, 168-175.

 Que, E. L.; Chang, C. J. "A Smart Magnetic Resonance Contrast Agent for Selective Copper Sensing," J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 15942-15943.

ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry Young Investigator Award, 2010