Our group is carrying out a project financed by the National Science Center as part of the OPUS competition entitled Nonlinear optical properties of organometallic assemblies for biophotonic applications.

Date of conclusion of the contract: 2020-07-09
Project start date: 2020-07-09
Project completion date: 2023-07-08 (extended to 2024-07)
Project implementation period: 36
Implementing unit: Wrocław University of Science and Technology
Project leader: DSc, PhD, Eng Katarzyna Magdalena Matczyszyn

The project is focusing on the study of new materials exhibiting non-linear optical properties (NLO) that exhibit increased non-linear absorption, as this particular NLO phenomenon has found the most application so far. In particular, we are focusing on the non-linear optical properties of new nanocage organometallic structures and their interactions with DNA. We investigate the nonlinear optical properties of canonical assemblies and non-canonical forms of DNA with organometallic molecules, also in the context of searching for the best G-quadruplex intercalators.

As part of the project, organometallic molecules arranged in nano-assemblies with physical properties selected to obtain the optimal combination for a given application (medical or photonic) are modeled. Our goal is to manipulate the structure-property ratio, which is especially important for molecular systems and molecular materials or nanomaterials.

The design idea is based on the fact that, from a material engineering standpoint, DNA can be considered an excellent nanomaterial, partly because it can adopt well-defined spatial helical structures at the macro- and supramolecular levels. In fact, the helical system can serve as an excellent scaffold, e.g. for stacking chromophores or nanoparticles, with possible application as programmable photoreactive systems. In addition to the fundamental role of genomic ds-DNA in the storage, expression, replication, and transmission of genetic information, there is growing evidence that other non-canonical forms of DNA structures also play an important regulatory role in the cell's life cycle and metabolism. Therefore, the need to find molecules efficiently interacting with such structures that could stop aberrant DNA replication and stabilize the resulting G-quadruplexes is most appropriate, since replication-induced DNA shortening is responsible for regulating cell death.

As part of the project, we are collaborating with a laboratory in Neuchatel (Switzerland), with the participation of students and employees from Wrocław, where a number of different organometallic molecules with promising non-linear properties will be synthesized, the characterization of which will be carried out in Wrocław. The synergy of collaborating groups will be exploited through the intensive exchange of personnel, especially young scientists. The objectives of the project also include reliable determination of the properties of the newly obtained materials as well as demonstration of their suitability for the proposed applications in photonics, biophotonics and medicine.

More details can be found on the NCN website.