ORGANIC NANOPARTICLES FOR BRAIN IMAGING AND THERAPY

Abstract

Various brain imaging techniques such as CT and MRI have been developed to understand the brain structure, function and pharmacology, however, their applications were limited by various drawbacks. In this thesis, organic nanoparticles (NPs) based on propeller-shaped organic molecules were developed for ex vivo fluorescence imaging and in vivo photoacoustic imaging of brain with better resolution and higher biocompatibility. A general approach to tune the NP size was firstly developed and the red-emissive NPs could evaluate the blood brain barrier (BBB) damage. The surfaces of NPs were further modified to target brain tumour while photothermal reagents were co-loaded into the NPs for image-guided photothermal therapy of brain tumour. Furthermore, NPs with red-shifted emission and low phototoxicity were developed for long-term tracking of bone marrow stromal cells to monitor their therapeutic effect for stroke treatment. Finally, NPs with high near-infrared absorption were obtained, which achieved real-time photoacoustic brain vascular imaging.