Using Light to Trigger Drug Release in Nano-Polymersomes
Controlling when and where drugs are released inside biological systems remains a central challenge in targeted therapy. This work investigated how light-responsive nano-polymersomes could enable precise, on-demand cargo release by using pulsed laser irradiation to disrupt vesicle membranes with high spatiotemporal control.
The research was presented at the Graduate Poster Exhibition during the 2025 SPARK! (Showcase of Projects, Art, Research, and Knowledge), a reimagining of Research Week that highlighted graduate research across disciplines. Developed within the Ph.D. program in Computational and Integrative Biology at Rutgers University–Camden’s Center for Computational and Integrative Biology (CCIB), the project was completed by Sebastian Zmijewski. The abstract below introduces his work on light-responsive nano-polymersomes for controlled drug delivery.
Abstract: Light-Responsive Nano-Polymersomes for Controlled Cargo Release
Polymersomes hold significant potential for drug delivery applications due to their ability to effectively encapsulate both hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules. The capability to control cargo release from these vesicles with high spatiotemporal precision would be transformative for biological systems. One method to achieve this is through a light-responsive nano-polymersome system, where pulsed laser irradiation can be utilized to induce membrane disruption and subsequent cargo release.
Light-responsive nano-polymersomes can be formed by incorporating dodecanethiol-functionalized gold nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles serve as optimal photosensitizers due to their strong interactions with light stemming from surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The interaction between light and free electrons results in thermomechanical energy release, which causes membrane disruption. Previous research has demonstrated the capacity of photosensitized micron-polymersomes and nano-polymersomes to enable controlled cargo release in response to pulsed laser irradiation.
Nano-polymersome uptake and toxicity were investigated in NIH 3T3 cells, along with bulk picosecond irradiations of cells containing endocytosed polymersomes. Uptake was analyzed using confocal microscopy with fluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Cells were stained with NucBlue or CellMask and imaged using z-stacks to confirm endocytosis. Toxicity was assessed using an LDH assay following incubation with concentrated polymersome solutions.
Methods were developed for cell irradiation using a 532 nm picosecond laser, and cytotoxicity was studied as a function of irradiation energy. Additional experiments involved irradiating cells containing endocytosed doxorubicin-loaded polymersomes. These studies demonstrated that nano-polymersomes were readily taken up by NIH 3T3 cells with minimal toxicity and that laser irradiation in the absence of vesicles also resulted in minimal toxicity. Finally, cytotoxic doxorubicin was successfully released upon irradiation from endocytosed vesicles, as demonstrated by induced cell death.
Graduate Poster Exhibition at SPARK!
The Graduate Poster Exhibition celebrates the research and creative work of the graduate community, showcasing everything from prose and code to original research and artistic expression. As part of SPARK! (Showcase of Projects, Art, Research, and Knowledge), a reimagining of Research Week, the exhibition highlights the depth, range, and impact of graduate scholarship and invites the campus community to engage with ideas taking shape across disciplines.
Bridging Disciplines: The Center for Computational and Integrative Biology
The Center for Computational and Integrative Biology (CCIB) at Rutgers–Camden combines experimental and computational methods to address complex biological questions. CCIB offers graduate programs leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, emphasizing a holistic understanding of biological systems from molecular to population levels. The curriculum equips students like Basirat with the skills to conduct innovative research at the intersection of biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics.
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