Doctoral themes 2023

New heterometallic compounds for the theranosis of cancer 

Supervisors

Paulo Nuno Martinho, pnmartinho@ciencias.ulisboa.pt

Maria Isabel Rodrigues Correia, icorreia@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Registration Institution

Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa

Project description

This research proposal aims at studying new heterometallic compounds based on Fe(II) and Mn(I) with coinage metals, acting both in the diagnosis and therapy (theranosis) for cancer. The first-row transition metals were carefully chosen to be able to display optical properties, which are crucial for tracking and diagnosis. Further combination of these with coinage metals [Au(I) or Ag(I) - well established as potential therapeutics] yields heterometallic compounds with combined properties that can improve the delivery and tracking of the new metallodrugs. Fe(II) and Mn(I) complexes have proved to show negligible effects on non-cancerous cell lines. Therefore, the new heterometallic compounds will be used not only to study their cytotoxicity on various cancer cell lines but also to use their optical properties as a medium to make diagnostic less evasive and harmful. Ultimately, the success of this study will contribute to less expensive and less damaging treatments and diagnostic, while reducing adverse side effects.

The research plan takes place in the Inorganic Molecules and Materials (IM2) Lab from Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE) and the Institute of Molecular Sciences under the supervision of Dr. Paulo Martinho and Dr. Isabel Correia. A 6 months placement in the lab. of Prof. M. Concepción Gimeno (CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza) is also envisaged.

Keywords

Coordination chemistry

Theranosis

Metallodrugs