Synthesis and efficacy of chlorophyllin derivatives as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy
Colaboration with Prof. Dr. Zhi-Long Chen from College of Chemistry and Biology, Donghua University, Shanghai
Principal investigator
The aim of this research project is to prepare novel fuctionalized chlorin compounds and to study their physicochemical and photophysical properties with the view of their use in photodynamic therapy (PDT). The prerequisite for the intracellular uptake and efficiency of chlorins is the presence of polar functional groups such as multiple carboxylic acid substitutents,
which are also important to increase solubility of organic photosensitizers in aqueous solutions. The other important issue is to develop photosensitizers (PS) with absorption at long wavelength to achieve greater tissue penetration by energy light.
Expected project outcomes
1) Development of synthesis of novel functionalized chlorin systems
2) In-depth knowledge of their physicochemical properties
3) Study of PDT properties of novel chlorins