Our primary research interests span the synthesis, study and use of novel fluorescent heterocycles. Specific ongoing projects include: the development of visibly-emissive fluorescent chemosensors for aqueous metal ions (such as Hg2+); the discovery of novel fluorescent chemosensors by combinatorial methods; the design of new fluorescent labels for measuring cellular protein distribution; and, the exploration of new materials based on fluorescent pyridine-thiophene conjugates.