Detection of radical species by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance using optimized spin-traps

S2CB develops next-generation nitrone spin traps to detect short-lived radical species by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) in biologically relevant environments. Building on the long-standing research initiated by Grégory Durand, the team has designed amphiphilic and lipid-anchoring PBN derivatives that position the reactive nitrone moiety at membrane interfaces, dramatically improving radical-adduct yields and EPR detectability. These vectorized spin traps generate persistent nitroxide signatures, enabling quantitative monitoring of ROS/RNS formation in cells, liposomal models, and tissues. Further developments include fluorinated amino-acid nitrones offering enhanced lipophilicity, stability, and compatibility with oxidative-stress studies. In parallel, contributions from Anaïs Deletraz clarified how electronic tuning of the nitrone core modulates spin-trapping efficiency, selectivity, and cytoprotective properties. Together, this body of work provides a versatile molecular toolbox to probe radical chemistry, oxidative stress, and antioxidant mechanisms with high specificity using EPR.

Associated Publications

• Amphiphilic PBN derivatives as efficient membrane-anchored spin traps for EPR detection of lipid radicals. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 2014
• Glycolipidic nitrones for enhanced spin trapping at biomembrane interfaces. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2003
• Fluorinated amino-acid nitrones: design, radical-trapping efficiency and EPR characterization. Chemical Research in Toxicology, 2009
• Spin Trapping and Cytoprotective Properties of Fluorinated Amphiphilic Carrier Conjugates of Cyclic versus Linear Nitrones. Chemical Research in Toxicology, 2009