Light-Responsive R6G-Based GUMBOS for Enhanced Doxorubicin Delivery
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Rocio Perez
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
College of Science & Mathematics
Department
Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics
Abstract
Light-Responsive R6G-Based GUMBOS for Enhanced Doxorubicin Delivery
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a cytotoxic anthracycline antibiotic typically used in the treatment of various carcinomas. According to the literature, its cytotoxic effect on malignant cells is believed to be related to the inhibition of nucleotide replication and the function of DNA and RNA polymerases, as well as the inhibition of topoisomerase II. However, its toxicity is not selective, as it also attacks normal cells, producing serious side effects throughout the body.
A Group of Uniform Materials Based on Organic Salts (GUMBOS) has emerged as a versatile approach to enhance drug delivery and to photothermal and photodynamic therapy. Previous studies have shown the ability of rhodamine 6G (R6G)-based GUMBOS to exhibit selective cytotoxicity toward cancerous cells. Recently, studies have demonstrated that exposure to visible light irradiation (LED) in the blue and red regions increases the cellular uptake of chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer cell lines, thereby enhancing their selective action.
In this study, [R6G][BETI] GUMBOS were synthesized, and their ability to co-assemble with the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) was investigated. The co-assembled nanoparticles of [R6G][BETI] GUMBOS with DOX were synthesized and characterized through dynamic light scattering, UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and temperature-dependent studies to assess optical properties, drug release behavior, and photothermal response. These nanoparticles will be exposed to red LED light (660 nm) and blue LED light (450 nm) to evaluate their photophysical behavior and determine whether light exposure enhances drug delivery performance.
In addition, future in vitro studies using cultured cell models are planned to assess cytotoxicity and LED-enhanced therapeutic performance. This study will allow us to establish a novel foundation for the investigation of light-responsive [R6G][BETI] GUMBOS as externally stimulated carriers for enhanced doxorubicin delivery and phototherapeutic applications.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-23-2026 4:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Bustos, Valeria M., "Light-Responsive R6G-Based GUMBOS for Enhanced Doxorubicin Delivery" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 162.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/162
Light-Responsive R6G-Based GUMBOS for Enhanced Doxorubicin Delivery
Russell Union Ballroom
Light-Responsive R6G-Based GUMBOS for Enhanced Doxorubicin Delivery
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a cytotoxic anthracycline antibiotic typically used in the treatment of various carcinomas. According to the literature, its cytotoxic effect on malignant cells is believed to be related to the inhibition of nucleotide replication and the function of DNA and RNA polymerases, as well as the inhibition of topoisomerase II. However, its toxicity is not selective, as it also attacks normal cells, producing serious side effects throughout the body.
A Group of Uniform Materials Based on Organic Salts (GUMBOS) has emerged as a versatile approach to enhance drug delivery and to photothermal and photodynamic therapy. Previous studies have shown the ability of rhodamine 6G (R6G)-based GUMBOS to exhibit selective cytotoxicity toward cancerous cells. Recently, studies have demonstrated that exposure to visible light irradiation (LED) in the blue and red regions increases the cellular uptake of chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer cell lines, thereby enhancing their selective action.
In this study, [R6G][BETI] GUMBOS were synthesized, and their ability to co-assemble with the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) was investigated. The co-assembled nanoparticles of [R6G][BETI] GUMBOS with DOX were synthesized and characterized through dynamic light scattering, UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and temperature-dependent studies to assess optical properties, drug release behavior, and photothermal response. These nanoparticles will be exposed to red LED light (660 nm) and blue LED light (450 nm) to evaluate their photophysical behavior and determine whether light exposure enhances drug delivery performance.
In addition, future in vitro studies using cultured cell models are planned to assess cytotoxicity and LED-enhanced therapeutic performance. This study will allow us to establish a novel foundation for the investigation of light-responsive [R6G][BETI] GUMBOS as externally stimulated carriers for enhanced doxorubicin delivery and phototherapeutic applications.
