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Functional Organic Nanocrystals for Ultralong Phosphorescence Lifetime Bioimaging Applications

Project description

Novel nanomaterials for bioimaging

Organic room-temperature phosphorescence materials (ORTPs) exhibit high luminescence and find application in high-resolution imaging. Metal-free ORTP materials have become a promising choice because they are inexpensive and environmentally friendly. The key objective of the EU-funded FUNCrystals project is to develop ORTP nanocrystals with expanded applications in microscopy. Researchers will establish a scalable method for nanoscale ORTP production and investigate the optical properties of the generated compounds as well as their spatiotemporal distribution and contrast in cells. The project will pave the way towards the formation of ORTP-based nanoprobes for bioimaging applications.

Objective

Recently, organic room-temperature phosphorescence materials (ORTPs) have gathered tremendous interest due to their high brightness and ultra-long lifetime (ULL) features, and ORTPs are useful in many advanced applications, including optoelectronics, bioimaging(BI), and photomedicine. However, at this early stage of development, processing of nanoform ORTPs and scalable synthesis lag behind other forms of ORTPs, leaving the chances for many applications nearly uncharted. Thus, the FUNCrystals project aims to develop functional ORTP nanocrystals (NCs) for two-photon phosphorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (2P-PLIM) BI applications. In particular, the project proposes 3 main activities that capitalize on the strength of the proposed experienced researcher and the host research group (Prof. Clemens Kaminski), in ORTP-NCs synthesis and 2P-PLIM usage. 1.Develop a synthesis process to control the size and shape of ORTP-NCs with high emission quantum yield (QY) and ULL. 2.Investigate the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties and biocompatibility analysis of ORTP-NCs. 3.Use the ORTP-NCs as nanoprobes in the 2P-PLIM to capture the high spatiotemporal and high contrast image in the primary Epithelial cell lines. The expected results will exploit the size and shape-dependent properties of the ORTP-NCs, aiming to demonstrate property performances that can elicit commercial interest in potential nanoprobes for 2P-PLIM bioimaging applications. This project's success will make a substantial contribution to one of the European Union's main concerns on developing nanotechnologies and advanced materials. Overall, this proposed multidisciplinary project brings benefits to both the applicant and the host institution(University of Cambridge) in terms of mutual knowledge transfer, joint publications, new collaborations, networking actions, and personal career development of the researcher as well as increased public awareness about research resulting from the ambitious outreach actions.

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MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020

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Coordinator

THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 224 933,76
Address
TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom

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Region
East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 224 933,76
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