Zachary Schultz, PhD

My laboratory develops instrumentation for the detection biomolecules and characterization of biological samples. We are currently funded by NCI to develop a new method for detecting changes in oncometabolites from tumors. Specifically, sheath flow surface enhanced Raman, invented in my lab, is being developed for chemical identification and quantitative analysis of metabolites that are challenging to monitor by conventional methods. Additional work in our lab explores plasmonic materials to characterize membrane receptors, specifically integrins, and chemical signaling associated with ligands binding to membrane receptors. Changes in integrin expression have long been associated with the development of cancer; however, therapies have met mixed success. Our results provide new ways to explore ligand-binding to receptors, which may facilitate cancer therapies.