October ACS South Texas Section Meeting Date: Friday, October 25, 2019 Guest Speaker: Dr. Kirk Schanze University of Texas San Antonio Title: Conjugated Polyelectrolytes in Biosensing and Disinfection Abstract: Conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) featuring poly(phenylene ethynylene) and poly(thiophene) backbones substituted with ionic solubilizing groups are water soluble. These materials display a variety of interesting properties, including self-assembly into nanoscale aggregates, ability to process into nanostructured layer-by-layer films and optical/stimuli responsive behaviour in the presence of ions, surfactants and biomacromolecules. We have explored the use of cationic CPEs as fluorescent sensors for polyphosphates (pyrophosphate, ATP and ADP). In addition, cationic CPEs exhibit profound light-activated biocidal activity vs. a broad spectrum of bioagents, including bacteria, virus particles and spores. The talk will give a high-level overview work in this area, including recent work concerning the interactions between cationic CPEs and mammalian cells. Meeting Location: South Texas College- Pecan Campus 3201 W. Pecan McAllen, TX Building/Room: Cooper Center- Conference Rooms North and South https://campuses.southtexascollege.edu/maps/Pecan-Campus-Map.jpg Time: Social at 6:00 pm followed by talk at 6:30 pm