Exploring the limits of nanobioplasmonics: toxicological effects, environmental risks and therapeutic opportunities

• Grant number: 24/17786-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Susana Inés Córdoba de Torresi
• Grantee: Lucas Gonçalves Queiroz
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/00675-4 - Tying up materials for electrochemical energy storage and catalysis, AP.TEM

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most widely produced and used nanomaterials in industry, medicine, and technology due to their antimicrobial properties. Among the main properties of AgNPs, the sensitivity to Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) has gained significant attention. LSPR excitation alters the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticle surface, allowing for increased efficiency in various applications such as photonics, catalysis, and biosensors. Due to their extensive production and use, the entry of these materials into natural environments is inevitable, which may pose risks to biota. Recent studies from our group have shown that plasmonically stimulated AgNPs (pAgNPs) have greater antimicrobial and toxic potential. However, the ability of these particles to trigger biological responses is still not fully understood. While the inevitable AgNP+light interaction may represent a risk to biota, from a medical standpoint, this association could offer excellent therapeutic potential, representing an important gap to be explored for understanding and applying these plasmonic particles. The present proposal aims to evaluate the toxicological potential of pAgNPs on zebrafish (Danio rerio), as well as to assess the application of safe concentrations in the treatment of bacterial infections in these individuals. Thus, this project seeks to understand how the AgNP+light association affects aquatic ecosystems through toxicological assays and expand knowledge on the medical applications of AgNPs, proposing new therapeutic opportunities from a nanobioplasmonic approach. (AU)