Emission Control of Rare-Earth Nanoparticles

Optical theranostic (diagnostic + therapy) techniques are low-cost, safe, and constitute a next big leap in the betterment of human healthcare.

In that regard, luminescent nanoparticles (NPs) are poised to become the multifunctional instruments of personalized medicine.

However, present-day theranostic NPs provide no control over their arsenal of capabilities – their competences are often entangled so that diagnostics cannot be done without therapy.

In the same way that surgeons do not cut before ascertaining what and where to cut, so do light-responsive nanoparticles must have the flexibility to switch between their imaging/sensing and therapeutic modalities at-will.

Rare-earth NPs (RENPs) are endowed with downshifting (Stokes) and upconversion (anti-Stokes) luminescence stimulated by near-infrared light; thus, RENPs are designed for non-invasive deep-tissue optical imaging (to diagnose) and in-situ mediation of photochemical processes (to treat).

As such, RENPs are just the right candidates to decouple therapy from diagnostics, while preserving both in a single theranostic NP.

With MONOCLE, I propose a tangible and timely development of RENPs with built-in control over their different emission modes.

Capitalizing on the modular design of RENPs in unison with temporally modulated laser excitation, I intend to separate downshifting and upconversion processes creating truly-multifunctional theranostic RENPs (TMTs).

In essence, TMTs are destined to apply “measure twice and cut once” philosophy – which constitutes benign examination and diagnosis of the target, with in-situ treatment available on-demand.

Successful development of TMTs is projected to have far-reaching implications in safe and selective use of light-controlled nanomedicines.

Furthermore, the multidisciplinary nature of this project is anticipated to foster new RENP architectures and alternative excitation pathways, decisively advancing not only biomedical but also luminescent materials science research.