Carrier-Free Near-Infrared NanoGUMBOS Co-Assembled with Paclitaxel for Selective and Synergistic Cancer Theranostics
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Rocio Perez
Location
Russell Union 2054
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Oral Presentation
College
College of Science & Mathematics
Department
Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics
Abstract
Modern Oncology increasingly demands systems that can diagnose and treat tumors simultaneously, yet most nanoparticle platforms rely on complex carriers that introduce toxicity, unpredictable release, and synthetic challenges. Near-infrared (NIR) dyes such as indocyanine green (ICG) and IR-820 exhibit strong fluorescence and photothermal conversion, yet their clinical potential is limited by rapid degradation, poor aqueous stability, and limited tumor retention. This work advances a fundamentally different strategy: constructing a carrier-free theranostic nanoplatform in which the dye itself forms the therapeutic nanoparticle framework. Using the GUMBOS (Groups of Uniform Materials Based on Organic Salts) approach, NIR dyes were ionically engineered to tune physicochemical properties to drive self-assembly and improve in-vivo stability. Systematic optimization produced monodisperse nanoparticles (~100nm, PDI < 0.150) with sustained colloidal stability-a critical prerequisite for biomedical translation. Building upon this foundation, current efforts focus on co-assembling the hydrophobic chemotherapeutic paclitaxel (PTX) directly into the nanoGUMBOS matrix through hydrophobic collapse and π-π stacking interactions. The resulting design aims to integrate three coordinated functions within a single nanosystem: (1) Real-time NIR fluorescence imaging, (2) Photothermal tumor ablation under 808 nm irradiation , and (3) Controlled chemotherapeutic release triggered by the same stimulus. By eliminating passive carrier materials and unifying imaging with therapy within one system, this co-assembly strategy establishes a modular theranostic framework with enhanced precision, stability, and translational potential.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 10:30 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 10:45 AM
Recommended Citation
Smerjac, Seth K., "Carrier-Free Near-Infrared NanoGUMBOS Co-Assembled with Paclitaxel for Selective and Synergistic Cancer Theranostics" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 107.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/107
Carrier-Free Near-Infrared NanoGUMBOS Co-Assembled with Paclitaxel for Selective and Synergistic Cancer Theranostics
Russell Union 2054
Modern Oncology increasingly demands systems that can diagnose and treat tumors simultaneously, yet most nanoparticle platforms rely on complex carriers that introduce toxicity, unpredictable release, and synthetic challenges. Near-infrared (NIR) dyes such as indocyanine green (ICG) and IR-820 exhibit strong fluorescence and photothermal conversion, yet their clinical potential is limited by rapid degradation, poor aqueous stability, and limited tumor retention. This work advances a fundamentally different strategy: constructing a carrier-free theranostic nanoplatform in which the dye itself forms the therapeutic nanoparticle framework. Using the GUMBOS (Groups of Uniform Materials Based on Organic Salts) approach, NIR dyes were ionically engineered to tune physicochemical properties to drive self-assembly and improve in-vivo stability. Systematic optimization produced monodisperse nanoparticles (~100nm, PDI < 0.150) with sustained colloidal stability-a critical prerequisite for biomedical translation. Building upon this foundation, current efforts focus on co-assembling the hydrophobic chemotherapeutic paclitaxel (PTX) directly into the nanoGUMBOS matrix through hydrophobic collapse and π-π stacking interactions. The resulting design aims to integrate three coordinated functions within a single nanosystem: (1) Real-time NIR fluorescence imaging, (2) Photothermal tumor ablation under 808 nm irradiation , and (3) Controlled chemotherapeutic release triggered by the same stimulus. By eliminating passive carrier materials and unifying imaging with therapy within one system, this co-assembly strategy establishes a modular theranostic framework with enhanced precision, stability, and translational potential.
