Development of novel light-based molecular tools for biomedical applications
Tapia Hernandez, Rodrigo
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/125657
Description
Title
Development of novel light-based molecular tools for biomedical applications
Author(s)
Tapia Hernandez, Rodrigo
Issue Date
2024-05-16
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Chan, Jefferson K
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Chan, Jefferson K
Committee Member(s)
Manesis, Anastasia C
Murphy, Catherine J
Sweedler, Jonathan V
Department of Study
Chemistry
Discipline
Chemistry
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Molecular tools
Biomedical applications
Cargo delivery
Light-based therapeutics
Abstract
Light is an important tool that can be applied in a wide range of chemical and biological applications. Light can provide both spatial and temporal control over chemical processes that we can exploit to help us better understand the chemical processes in biological systems. This can be achieved through the use of targetable colorimetric and fluorescent probes, as well as light-mediated chemical reactions in photolabile molecules, which can be used to deliver analytes, probes, and even therapeutics in a localized region of interest. In addition, light has the advantage of being a non-invasive trigger, and by tunning the power and wavelength it can be used safely without causing any damage or distress to healthy cells or tissues. The development of these tools has played an important role in biomedical applications, for example: basic studies to understand biological processes; disease monitoring through molecular imaging; direct light-mediated therapy with photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and activatable drug release.
In this work, Chapter 1 will give an introduction on the importance of light as a tool in both chemical and biological processes. In addition, examples of how modifications to dyes can be exploited for various imaging techniques, including a modern imaging modality known as photoacoustic imaging. Chapter 2 will expand on the photoacoustic effect, which takes advantage of the imaging depth that ultrasound imaging provides with the specificity of light as the excitation source. This chapter also presents a method of introducing this imaging modality to laboratories without expensive instrumentation. In Chapter 3, a novel photodegradable nano-hydrogel will be introduced for the delivery of multiple types of cargo in cells and in vivo. The ability to use NIR-light to improve the spatiotemporal control of release of a chemotherapeutic can be of great advantage to improve both the efficacy of the drug and its biosafety by reducing off-target interactions. Appendix C also presents the development of an enzyme mediated delivery of methylene blue, a popular molecule that can be used as a photosensitizer as a therapeutic to treat cancer, and specifically target M1 polarized macrophages which are known to be present in the tumor microenvironment.
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