With the aim to develop novel nanomaterials for (onco)therapeutic purposes, the project “Design of hybrid nanoplatforms based on conjugated polymers and gold nanoparticles for plasmon-enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT)” addresses an actual interdisciplinary research topic at the interface between nanotechnology and biomedical sciences. The main goal of this project is to rationally design an efficient and feasible photodynamic therapy (PDT) nano-platform, using conjugated polymers (CP) as photosensitizer and gold nanoparticles as nano-carriers and plasmon-mediated enhancers of the generation of cytotoxic agents. The outstanding imaging potential of both gold nanoparticles and conjugated polymers through non-invasive ultrasensitive microspectroscopic method will also allow intracellular tracking of nanoparticles.

The key objectives of the present project targets the (i) preparation and characterization of water-soluble conjugated polymeric nanoparticles (CP-NP); (ii) interfacing conjugated polymers with gold nanoparticles and (iii) evaluation of the imaging and therapeutic potential of the obtained nano-platform.

Funding: Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research, UEFISCDI

Program from PNII: Human Resources

Budget: 249.345 RON (~ 55.410 EUR)

Period: 16 September 2019 - 15 September 2021

Contract no.: 54/2018