Thesis title: Radiolabelled porphyrinic metalla-assemblies linked to cellulose nanocrystals as PDT and imaging agents
Employer: BET Solutions (Greece), Cotutelle: University of Neuchâtel (UNINE, Switzerland)
Supervisors: Pr George Loudos (BET), Pr Bruno Therrien (UNINE), Pr Vincent Sol (UNILIM)
ESR representative at the Supervisory Board (2019-2020)
Research secondments: Politechnika Wroclawska (PWR), University of Limoges, Biolitec
Practical rotation: Selvita
Research project description and main objectives: At the forefront of chemistry, nano-materials and biology, this project intends to use cellulose nanocrystals to transport and deliver photo-responsive molecules to biological targets. Four main objectives are foreseen: a) to prepare and characterize cellulose nanocrystals as well as b) photo-responsive molecules; c) to load the nanocrystals with the photo-responsive compounds, and; d) to evaluate the biological potential of the newly developed nano-carriers in in vitro and in vivo models. To achieve these goals, the candidate will have to use synthetic organic strategies to functionalize the photo-responsive molecules in view of grafting them to the nanocrystals, and to learn radio-labelling techniques to optimize visualization and to identify biological targets. Being a multidisciplinary project, the candidate will need to be able to work independently, to possess excellent collaborative skills, and to adapt rapidly to different scientific environments.
João’s publications:
- J.C.S Simões, S. Sarpaki, P. Papadimitroulas, B. Therrien, G. Loudos, Conjugated Photosensitizers for Imaging and PDT in Cancer Research, American Chemical Society Publications, 2020, DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00047
Links:
- João elected at the Supervisory Board
- João’s covid-19 interview:
- João reelected at the Supervisory Board
