Synthesis of Chiral Metallic Nanostructures for Phototherapy Applications in Cancer Treatment

• Grant number: 25/06392-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Valeria Spolon Marangoni
• Grantee: Glauber Nascimento de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The use of metallic nanostructures in therapies such as photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising alternative for the treatment of various types of cancer. When these nanomaterials are irradiated, their electrons interact with the electromagnetic radiation by oscillating coherently and collectively, a phenomenon known as Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR), which results in the absorption and scattering of light at specific wavelengths. By altering the morphology and composition of these systems, it is possible to shift the maximum absorption wavelength toward specific regions, including the Near-Infrared (NIR) windows I and II, which are particularly interesting for therapies due to their high penetration in biological tissues. In nanoparticles with anisotropic morphology, the electromagnetic field is intensified at specific points, known as hot spots, where a high generation of hot electrons occurs. These electrons can, in turn, enhance the efficiency of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which forms the basis of PDT. Recently, chiral anisotropic nanostructures have also gained attention not only for their unique optical properties but also for their distinct biological interaction capabilities. Therefore, this project focuses on developing methodologies for the controlled synthesis of chiral anisotropic plasmonic nanostructures, which will be further investigated for applications in PTT and PDT. To achieve this, metallic nanotriangles (silver and gold) will be synthesized and coated with a chiral gold layer. Chirality will be induced using chiral biomolecules such as amino acids. This project will emphasize the optimization and understanding of synthesis parameters and their relationship with morphological control and the optical properties of the system. (AU)