June 9th, 2026, 10:00 AM EDT
Session Description
Visualizing the extracellular matrix (ECM) in real-time has long been a challenge. Dr. Kayvon Pedra’s group has developed a novel, cell-impermeant fluorophore that red-shifts and activates upon binding glycans. This allows for seamless, wash-free imaging of glycosylated ECM architecture—from in vitro models to in vivo mouse tumors—providing a powerful new tool for live fluorescence microscopy.
Highlights of the presentation
- A cell-impermeable small molecule fluorophore turns on and red-shifts upon binding glycosylated biomolecules.
- Application of the dye to live biological samples enables wash-free visualization of extracellular matrix structure.
- Observations demonstrate no toxicity, a broad substrate profile, deep tissue penetration, and negligible photobleaching in a variety of model organisms.
Webinar Speaker
Dr. Kayvon Pedram
Group Leader at HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus
Kayvon is a group leader at HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus near Washington, D.C. He received his bachelor’s degree in 2015 from MIT, working with Prof. Alice Ting and his Ph.D. in 2021 from Stanford, working with Prof. Carolyn Bertozzi. The Pedram Lab, established in 2021, aims to discover principles by which extracellular assemblies govern mammalian biology across spatial scales, develop therapies that take advantage of the unique and underexplored properties of extracellular biomolecules, and widely distribute methods that will allow others to join those long-term efforts. For more information, see our website.