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Published on: August 30, 2017
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Orthogonal light-triggered multiple effects based on photochromic nanoparticles for DNA cleavage and beyond
Lizhi Jiao1, Qisi Li1, Chenming Li1
1Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface & Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China. zjzhang@zstu.edu.cn.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|February 3, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a novel nanosystem using tungsten oxide nanoparticles for precise, light-controlled DNA cleavage. This breakthrough enables targeted cancer cell apoptosis and effective bacterial biofilm elimination using orthogonal light.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Efficient and spatiotemporally controllable deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) cleavage is crucial for disease treatment and molecular biology.
- Light-induced cleavage strategies using catalytic nanoparticles offer promising control over DNA cleavage.
- Orthogonal light regulation presents advantages over single light but remains underexplored for nanoparticle-mediated DNA cleavage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate the first orthogonal light-regulated nanosystem for efficient and spatiotemporal DNA cleavage.
- To utilize tungsten oxide (WO3) nanoparticles as nano-antennae for converting orthogonal light energy into chemical energy for DNA cleavage.
- To evaluate the nanosystem's efficacy in triggering DNA cleavage, inducing tumor cell apoptosis, and eliminating bacterial biofilms.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a nanosystem incorporating photochromic tungsten oxide (WO3) nanoparticles.
- Application of orthogonal visible light (405 nm) and near-infrared light (808 nm) to activate the nanosystem.
- Assessment of DNA cleavage efficiency across different DNA types under orthogonal light stimulation.
- In vitro evaluation of the nanosystem's effect on tumor cell apoptosis and bacterial biofilm elimination.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated efficient and spatiotemporal DNA cleavage triggered exclusively by orthogonal light (405 nm and 808 nm).
- Verified high cleavage efficiency on various DNA substrates.
- Observed significant induction of tumor cell apoptosis.
- Confirmed effective elimination of bacterial biofilms.
Conclusions:
- The developed orthogonal light-response nanosystem provides unprecedented control over DNA cleavage.
- This technology holds significant potential for advanced therapeutic strategies, including cancer treatment and combating bacterial infections.
- The study establishes a new paradigm for nanoparticle-mediated orthogonal light-controlled biomedical applications.

