Host Institution:
Koç University Translational Medicine Research Center (KUTTAM)
Supervisor:
Funda Yağcı Acar, PhD
Co-Supervisor:
Gözde İnce, PhD (Sabancı University)
Project Name:
Synergistic Approach for Synthesizing Sustainable Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Their Composites for PDT, Targeted DDS, and Photo-Chemo Combination Therapy.
Project Summary:
As a researcher committed to advancing cancer treatment, my work addresses one of the most pressing challenges in oncology: the need for precise, effective, and low-toxicity alternatives to conventional chemotherapy. This project pioneers a novel, sustainable approach by engineering next-generation nano metal-organic framework (nMOF)-based composites to significantly enhance photodynamic therapy (PDT) and targeted drug delivery systems (DDS).
While PDT and DDS have shown promise, their clinical potential has been hampered by issues like poor biocompatibility, non-specific targeting, low drug-loading efficiency, and unstable release profiles. This research tackles those limitations head-on. By developing HF-free, room-temperature synthesized nMOFs (CAU-7, MIL-100(Fe), NaLnF₄-based) and engineering their nanocomposites with Ag₂S QDs, SPIONs, and UCNPs, we aim to create biocompatible carriers with finely tuned surface and functional properties. These nanocarriers can further be modified with photosensitizers (5-ALA), natural biopolymers (chitosan, β-cyclodextrin), and tumor-targeting ligands (folic acid) for integrating precision targeting, sustainable synthesis, and functional versatility. We introduce catalytic properties for glutathione depletion and H₂O₂ utilization, directly addressing hypoxia-related resistance and elevating the therapeutic efficacy of PDT and photothermal therapy (PTT).
The result is a synergistic nanoplatform with enhanced aqueous stability, controlled drug release, and higher tumor-specific accumulation capabilities that could redefine current standards in cancer nanomedicine. Furthermore, this research not only proposes a powerful alternative to traditional therapeutics but also opens doors to scalable, energy-efficient production of multifunctional nanocarriers. Ultimately, our work aspires to contribute a critical step toward safer, smarter, and more effective cancer treatment technologies, bridging the gap between lab innovation and clinical application.