The drug delivery system is activated by infrared light through the human skin

A research team led by Professor Sei Kwang Han and Professor Kielwon Cho developed

targeted drug delivery system(DDS) using an organic photovoltaic cell with conversion-enhancing nanoparticles (UCNPs). Essentially, they convert near-infrared (NIR) light that penetrates the skin into visible light. This makes it possible to control the release of drugs in medical devices embedded in the human body. The research results were published in the journal Nano Energy.

For patients who need periodicdrug injections, as in the case of diabetes, DDS systems are being researched and developed. The system of targeted drug delivery is a method of drug delivery to the focus of the disease, which allows increasing the concentration of the delivered substance in the right place and blocking its accumulation in healthy organs and tissues. In this case, it is possible to increase the duration and effectiveness of the action, to reduce side effects. However, the size and shape of such systems are limited due to the power supply for the operation of the device.

Light instead of injections:a new concept of a drug delivery system that automatically releases drug from a medical device in vivo by simply turning on a light whenever a drug injection is required. Photo: POSTECH

The research team solved the problem by reversingattention to solar energy. Scientists have used upconversion nanoparticles to trigger the production of photovoltaic energy using near-infrared light (which can penetrate the skin). An organic photovoltaic cell generates an electrical current when irradiated with near infrared light. The thin gold film covering the drug reservoir melts and the substance is released.

As a result, the combination of flexible photovoltaicelement and drug delivery system allows the release of drugs on demand using light. The delivery system is activated by near infrared light, which is harmless to the human body and penetrates well through the skin. Scientists are confident that their work will contribute to the development of phototherapy technology using implantable medical devices.

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Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP)— they are nano-sized particles (diameter 1–100 nm) that exhibit photon upconversion. In photon upconversion, two or more incident photons of relatively low energy are absorbed and converted into one emitted photon of higher energy. Typically, absorption occurs in the infrared region, and emission occurs in the visible or ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum