Xue, Yujie
Yujie
Xue
Presentation: 2026 ND EPSCoR Annual conference
October 20, 2026, Minot, North Dakota
Copper-Modified Porphyrin Metal–Organic Frameworks: Nanoprobes for Fluorescence-Guided Cuproptosis and Synergistic Chemo Dynamic Therapy
Yujie
Xue
Doctoral Student
University of North Dakota
Yujie Xue1, Di Sun1, Diane C. Darland2*, and Julia Xiaojun Zhao1* 1. Department of Chemistry, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, 58202 2. Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, 58202 *Co-Corresponding Authors
Session
Concurrent Presentation Session B, Mediterranean Room
PCN-224, a porphyrinic metal–organic framework (MOF) composed of porphyrin linkers and Zr clusters, has attracted considerable interest in biomedical applications owing to its tunable pore structure, high surface area, and unique photophysical properties. In this study, copper was incorporated into PCN-224 to develop a multifunctional nanoplatform with potential applications in fluorescence-guided cuproptosis. The as-prepared PCN-224(Cu) nanoparticles were systematically characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurements, electron microscopy, and spectroscopic techniques to evaluate their particle size, surface properties, morphology, and colloidal stability in comparison with unmodified PCN-224. To further improve the aqueous dispersibility and colloidal stability of PCN-224(Cu), we are developing a surface modification strategy using disulfide-containing polyethylene glycol lipid (DSPE-SS-PEG2000). The amphiphilic DSPE moiety is expected to facilitate association with the nanoparticle surface, while the hydrophilic PEG2000 segment can provide steric stabilization and reduce nanoparticle aggregation in aqueous media. Furthermore, the disulfide linkage provides a redox-responsive feature that may facilitate PEG detachment under intracellular reducing conditions. This strategy is expected to establish a GSH-responsive PCN-224(Cu) nanoplatform for fluorescence-guided cuproptosis and subsequent investigation of its potential for combined photodynamic and photothermal therapy.
