Project Details
Projekt Print View

Function-determining Excited-State Dynamics in Transition-Metal Complex-Based Photodrugs in a Cellular Environment

Subject Area Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
Term from 2017 to 2022
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 395358570
 
Final Report Year 2024

Final Report Abstract

The project "Function-determining photoinduced processes in transition metal complexes as photoactivatable agents in a cellular environment" aimed to develop experimental-theoretical methods to characterize the properties of excited states in transition metal complexes. In particular, the focus was on the investigation of these complexes in living cells in the context of light-activated tumor therapy (PDT). The methodology included resonance Raman spectroscopy, time-resolved spectroscopy and transient absorption measurements. One focus was on the photophysical properties of Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes in solutions that are relevant for PDT. A correlation was found between the lifetime of non-emissive states and cytotoxicity in cell cultures. Furthermore, the influence of thiophene substituents on the spectroscopic properties of the complexes was investigated. A detailed analysis of the relaxation after photoexcitation by femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopy provides insights into the nature of the excited states and the functiondetermining length of the oligothiophene ligands, which influences the phototoxicity of the complexes in cell cultures. Methodologically, the project delivered innovations in the investigation of light-induced processes in small molecules in living human cells. In addition to the model system Astaxa-nthinin living cells, the dynamics of the electronically excited states of a PDT-active Ru(II) complex in living human cells were finally investigated. Thus, the project not only investigated structure-dynamics-function correlations in selected light-activated drugs but also made important methodological contributions to a better understanding of the photophysical processes of transition metal complexes in a cellular environment.

Publications

 
 

Additional Information

Textvergrößerung und Kontrastanpassung