Projects

Cyclometalated Ir(III) organometallic complexes have been widely investigated for their potential as anticancer agents, particularly in photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT). PDT operates through irradiation, oxygen, and photosensitizers to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS)—including hydroxyl radicals (·OH), superoxide radicals (O₂·⁻), and singlet oxygen—which facilitate tumor cell destruction and enhance contrast in cellular imaging and peptide labeling. Glioma, a malignant brain tumor, is characterized by its rapid invasion into surrounding brain tissues. Unfortunately, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts nearly 98% of both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs from entering the brain parenchyma, significantly limiting their therapeutic efficacy. While Ir(III) complexes offer substantial advantages, they also encounter limitations such as low cellular uptake, inadequate specificity, broad biodistribution, short biological half-life, and systemic toxicity. The use of polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA) as carriers has shown promise due to their strong adhesion, superior photothermal conversion, biocompatibility, and capacity to improve bioavailability and molecular interactions, making PDA an effective enhancer for Iridium-based complex delivery