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Exploiting DNA UV-Vis radiation damage enhanced by nanoparticles

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Summary:Cancer therapy has been a prominent topic of study for several decades by the medical, academic and pharmaceutical industry communities. In particular, skin cancer has assumed high relevance due to the degradation of the ozone layer and consequent increase in human exposure to UV radiation that induces genetic mutations. The focus has been on novel treatments and agents that increase the effectiveness of therapies, destroying the tumour cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissues. The aim of this work was to analyse the damage driven by UV and visible radiation in relevant biological molecules and to understand how to enhance the radiation damage, namely by adding AuNPs to illuminated samples. A combination of different techniques represents an innovative and promising approach to be explored. The work described in this thesis addresses this methodology from two different standpoints: 1) the degradation of DNA molecules after exposure to UVC radiation, to design a biological dosimeter that effectively demonstrates and measures the radiation induced damage; and 2) the effects of visible light laser radiation (Nd:YAG ) on halogenated nucleobases and plasmid DNA conjugated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The radiation damage induced in biological molecules was evaluated by spectroscopic techniques, microscopies, electrophoresis and measuring the production of free radicals and reactive species during water photolysis. This thesis demonstrates the potential of such a combined chemo-phototherapy methodology and the effectiveness of AuNPs in such treatment. Moreover, we have proven damage enhancement with the combination of pulsed laser and AuNPs in relevant biological molecules. The new findings of the interaction of Nd:YAG light with AuNPs and DNA molecules point to their efficacy and applicability in melanoma therapy. However, additional in vitro studies with cell lines, followed by in vivo assays, should be conducted, investigating whether the benefits surpass the possible damage caused in the vicinity of the illuminated area.
Main Authors:Marques, Telma da Piedade Silva
Subject:DNA nucleobases AuNPs UV radiation Nd:YAG
Year:2022
Country:Portugal
Document type:doctoral thesis
Access type:open access
Associated institution:Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Language:English
Origin:Repositório Institucional da UNL

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