Enhancing Luminescence and Biocompatibility of Surface-Modified Supraparticles for Theranostic Applications

• Processo: 25/13263-7
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Exterior - Estágio de Pesquisa - Doutorado
• Data de Início da vigência: 20 de novembro de 2025
• Data de Término da vigência: 29 de maio de 2026
• Área de conhecimento: Ciências Exatas e da Terra - Química - Química Inorgânica
• Pesquisador responsável: Paulo Cesar de Sousa Filho
• Beneficiário: Tamires Maira Oliveira
• Supervisor: Eva Hemmer
• Instituição Sede: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brasil
• Instituição Anfitriã: University of Ottawa (uOttawa), Canadá
• Vinculado à bolsa: 22/05118-9 - Agregação de nanopartículas luminescentes e plasmônicas modulada por photo-crosslinking para a formação de suprapartículas multifuncionais, BP.DR
• Assunto(s): Luminescência Nanomedicina teranóstica Termometria Terras raras Físico-química inorgânica
• Palavra(s)-Chave do Pesquisador: fototermia | luminescência | Suprapartículas | Teranóstica | termometria | Terras Raras | Físico-Química Inorgânica

Resumo

The development of functional materials with multiple orthogonal properties requires advancing new synthesis methodologies enabling precise control over morphology and structure. A promising strategy is the controlled aggregation of nanoparticles into submicrometric structures known as supraparticles, which offer a simpler alternative to the complex preparation of core@shell systems. Considering the growing demand for materials capable of high-resolution optical thermometry and highly localized heating in the field of nanomedicine, combining these two properties in a single supraparticle opens exciting possibilities for theranostic applications. This project aims to investigate the development and optimization of surface-modified supraparticles (SPs) to enhance their luminescent properties and biocompatibility, making them suitable for diagnostic and therapeutic uses. The SPs will be initially modified with gum arabic (GA) and silica (SiO¿) shells to enhance their luminescence, focusing on improving emission intensity, stability, and overall performance. The impact of these modifications will be evaluated through hyperspectral imaging, in vitro cytotoxicity assays, and developmental toxicity studies using zebrafish embryos. Cytotoxicity will be assessed on human glioblastoma (U-87 MG), hepatocyte (HEPG2), and mouse macrophage (J774A.1) cell lines, while zebrafish embryos will be monitored for survival, hatching success, and behavioral changes. These results will provide in-depth understanding of the balance between luminescence enhancement and biocompatibility, facilitating the development of safer, more effective supraparticle-based materials for use in advanced theranostic applications.