Bioinspired theranostic probes based on conjugated polymer nanoparticles

Theranostics is a recently-emerged research field which explores the possibility of combining diagnosis and therapy of a patient into a single treatment, minimising the time taken between the two processes and therefore leading to better outcomes and significantly reduced side effects. This option, if ever to exist, would rely on the existence of probes offering multiple modalities or functions – those for diagnosis and those for therapy.

Nano-sized spherical particles formed from closely-packed organic molecules known as conjugated polymers, or conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs), have already shown significant promise for such applications. They are inherently biocompatible and very stable, they can produce harmful oxygen species upon excitation with light (aka sensitization), and their use as probes for various types of bioimaging applications is already well-established. Yet, several challenges remain to be addressed, which include their low fluorescence quantum yields, lack of understanding of the relations between their sensitization and structural properties, and a lack of evaluation of their performance under deformation, such as those they might undergo in tissues. The aim of the project is therefore to address these issues using methodologies inspired by natural photosynthetic systems. Specifically, the project will aim to:

Ø Develop a better understanding of the physical, chemical, structural and photosensitizing properties of the CPNs;

Ø Develop new types of CPNs, with improved quantum yields and sensitizing properties, with individually addressable diagnostic and therapeutic functions;

Ø Develop an understanding of how the performance of CPNs is affected by deformations such as those they might experience in real-life application.

The expected activities involved in the project include:

·      Literature reviews of relevant topics and searches for useful information;

·      Synthesis of conjugated polymer nanoparticles, pure or combined with other nanomaterials (e.g. quantum dots);

·      Modification of surface chemistry of conjugated polymer nanoparticles, e.g. to attach targeting elements;

·      Experimental characterization of developed structures using a number of microscopies and spectroscopies, such as dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman imaging, integrated and time-resolved fluorescence measurements, and dark-field microscopy;

·      Spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization of CPNs’ photosensitizing properties;

·      Design and development of a new custom-built systems to controllably deform the CPNs and simultaneously evaluate their optical and sensitizing properties, based on a combination of dielectrophoretic and plasmonic optical forces.

·      Numerical modelling of the optical and electrical response of the designed system using established software packages such as Comsol Multiphysics or Lumerical.

·      Attendance of conferences, workshops and summer schools.

Start date: 1^st October 2022

For enquiries please contact: [Email Address Removed]

For full information on how to apply: https://apply.kcl.ac.uk

The Physics department at King’s College London supports Diversity and Equality and we invite all eligible candidates to apply.

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https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/department-of-physics-awarded-athena-swan-silver-award

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/archive/news/physics/department-of-physics-awarded-juno-practitioner-status

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