Synthesis and functionalization of metallic and bimetallic nanoparticles to modulate the photoactivity of photosensibilizers

• Grant number: 18/22890-1
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Dayane Batista Tada
• Grantee: Jéssica Aparecida Magalhães
• Home Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Improved photosensitizers (PS), which are the drugs used in Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), a less invasive type of Cancer treatment, have been intensively studied. Most part of PS can aggregate and be deactivated by biomolecules when used in its free form, which compromises the therapeutic efficiency of PDT treatment. Alternatively, PS can be associated with nanoparticles (NPs) aiming the maximization of their tumor selectivity. Such effect occurs mainly due to the preferential accumulation of such NPs in the tumor tissues as well as to longer blood circulation. In addition, the association of PS to metallic and bimetallic NPs may provide the enhancement of PS photoactivity due to the electronic coupling caused by NPs plasmon resonance effect. Moreover, a fine adjustment of PS properties can be achieved by controlling the morphology and size of the NPs. In this work, we propose to prepare and to investigate two experimental groups: i) gold NPs and ii) gold and platinum NPs functionalized with PS. These two groups will be characterized regarding to their physicochemical, photochemical and photophysical properties. Furthermore, some in vitro tests of photoactivity will be carried out in order to evaluate the effects promoted by the association between PS and NPs. Furthermore, by comparing the photoactivity of the different type of NPs, it will be elucidated the effect of the NPs composition (gold or gold/platinum) on the photoactivity of PS. For such in vitro tests, we can evaluate the internalization rate and type of cell death by measuring the viability of Melanoma cells. Finally, we expect to obtain an efficient nanoparticulated system to treat Melanoma by using low doses of PS. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MAGALHAES, JESSICA A.; FERNANDES, ADJACI U.; JUNQUEIRA, HELENA C.; NUNES, BRUNA C.; CURSINO, THAIS A. F.; FORMAGGIO, DANIELA M. D.; BAPTISTA, MAURICIO S.; TADA, DAYANE B. Bimetallic nanoparticles enhance photoactivity of conjugated photosensitizer. Nanotechnology, v. 31, n. 9 FEB 28 2020. Web of Science Citations: 0.