Doctoral themes 2023
Photoactive antibiotic (nano)formulations
Supervisors
João Tomé, jtome@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Vanda Serra, vanda.serra@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Registration Institution
Instituto Superior Técnico
Project description
Design, prepare and study multi-cationic porphyrinoids (Porphyrins (Por), Chlorins (Chl) and Phthalocyanines (Pc)) for photodynamic inactivation (PDI) of resistant microorganisms.1 The new photoactive “bio”conjugates, mainly based on pyridinium and ammonium groups in dendritic fashions, will be used in the development of novel photoactive (nano)formulations of polyelectrolyte capsules for PDI. Using different strategies, the “bio”motifs will confer: high hydrophilic character to the photosensitizer (PS) and to the nanocapsules;2 controlled delivery/ release of the conjugated/encapsulated PS and/or the reactive oxygen generated species (ROS). Photophysical and photochemical studies will guide us for the most promising molecules/nanoformulations, that will be tested on bioluminescent Escherichia coli bacterium. The project will be developed in a joint collaboration between Prof. João Tomé, Dr. Vanda Serra and Dr. Adelaide Almeida (UAveiro), and a 3-6 months research mobility to Prof. Tomás Torres (UAMadrid).
1) J. Photochem. Photobiol. B, Biol. 2022, 233, 112502; 2) Nanomaterials, 2022, 12, 872.
Keywords
Porphyrinoids
Nanocapsules
Photosensitizers
Polyelectrolytes
Photodynamic Inactivation (PDI)
