Context and research objectives:
Over the last decade, photothermal therapy (PTT) have attracted increasing attention as a potential alternative to other classical therapeutic approaches.1 It involves molecules or nanoparticles absorbing photons upon light-irradiation and generating heat through non-radiative relaxation pathways. To help the clinical translation of PTT, which is currently limited to a few early phase pilot trials, highly challenging research aspects concern the development of intelligent theranostic (i.e. combination of therapy and diagnostic) systems that provide efficient photothermal therapeutic effect in combination with comprehensive image-guiding strategy by fluorescence/photoacoustic imaging (PAI).
In this context, our research group is interested in the use of Aggregation-Induced-Emission organic fluorescent dyes (AIE-dyes). These dyes present fluorescence capabilities when they are in an aggregated state, as well as heat production capability when the aggregation is reduced (because the molecular motion is permitted, favoring non-radiative relaxation pathway).2 Therefore, they can be very effective for fluorescence imaging, or for photothermal therapy and photoacoustic imaging, depending on the aggregation state. However, alternating between these two states by transformation around the dye environment (i.e. switch between aggregate and non-aggregate state), to benefit from both properties in an intelligent manner, is an underexplored promising strategy,3 which will be targeted during this thesis.
The main objective of this PhD project is to synthetize AIE-dyes and to attach them to side-chain/end-chain of stimuli-responsive amphiphilic polymers in order to obtain structures able to 1) self-assemble in aqueous solution and 2) switch between the two aggregation states as a function of the stimuli to achieve both photothermal and fluorescence properties in controlled manner. The final aim is to elaborate a polymeric one-component system capable to autonomously adapt from the diagnostic to the therapeutic needs via the state change strategy.
PhD work description:
This thesis position will be dedicated to 1) the multistep organic synthesis of fluorescent dyes with aggregation induced emission properties and bearing a functionality to attach them to polymeric carrier, 2) the preparation of polymers with tailored properties (amphiphilicity, stimuli-responsiveness) and side-chain or end-chain functionality to attach the AIEgen-dye, 3) the evaluation of self-assembly properties and characterization of the formed nanoparticles at nanoscale, 4) the evaluation of photophysical properties of dyes, dye-polymer conjugates and dyes nanoparticles, 4) the exploration of properties toward in vivo applications (photothermal production efficiency, photoacoustic response).
In the framework of this project, competences in organic synthesis, polymer synthesis, photophysics and physical-chemistry and associated characterization techniques will be developed. The project is focusing on a multidisciplinary research area of great interest in academia, and truly represents an opportunity for highly motivated graduate students. The selected candidate will also have the opportunity to interact proactively with a network of collaborators and will have the opportunity to use modern synthesis and characterization tools.
References:
(1) Li, X.; Lovell, J. F.; Yoon, J.; Chen, X. Clinical Development and Potential of Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapies for Cancer. Nat. Rev. Clin. Oncol. 2020, 17 (11), 657–674. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41571-020-0410-2 .
(2) Wang, J.; Li, J.; Wang, L.; Han, T.; Wang, D.; Tang, B. Z. AIEgen-Based Polymer Nanocomposites for Imaging-Guided Photothermal Therapy. ACS Appl. Polym. Mater. 2020, 2 (10), 4306–4318. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsapm.0c00712 .
(3) Li, J.; Wang, J.; Zhang, J.; Han, T.; Hu, X.; Lee, M. M. S.; Wang, D.; Tang, B. Z. A Facile Strategy of Boosting Photothermal Conversion Efficiency through State Transformation for Cancer Therapy. Adv. Mater. 2021, 33 (51), 2105999. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202105999 .
Funding category: Contrat doctoral
funded by Lorraine University
PHD title: Doctorat de chimie
PHD Country: France
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