Despite the promise of targeted drug delivery, achieving precise control over when a therapeutic agent is released remains a major bottleneck. New engineering developments in smart biomaterials introduce novel ways to transform passive carriers into active, highly controllable delivery systems. In this talk, I will present the development of a photothermal, light-triggered cargo delivery platform utilizing giant lipid vesicles functionalized with NIR light-responsive gold nanorods. I will focus on the optimization of the molecular anchoring mechanism and showcase its real-world functionality in actively inhibiting E. coli growth through a unique dual-action of triggered antibiotic release and direct photothermal effects.
Anastassiya is a chemist and deep-tech project lead (Aster Bioelectronics, i.g.) with a strong drive for translating scientific innovation into practical applications. For her doctoral research, she engineered NIR light-responsive giant lipid vesicles functionalized with gold nanoparticles for controlled cargo delivery. Seeking to focus on more applied research, she transitioned her expertise toward designing advanced biosensing interfaces that bridge the gap between biochemistry and engineering. As a member of the EXIST-Women network, she is passionate about supporting female entrepreneurship and empowering women to take on leadership and founding roles in deep-tech spin-offs.
Despite the promise of targeted drug delivery, achieving precise control over when a therapeutic agent is released remains a major bottleneck. New engineering developments in smart biomaterials introduce novel ways to transform passive carriers into active, highly controllable delivery systems. In this talk, I will present the development of a photothermal, light-triggered cargo delivery platform utilizing giant lipid vesicles functionalized with NIR light-responsive gold nanorods. I will focus on the optimization of the molecular anchoring mechanism and showcase its real-world functionality in actively inhibiting E. coli growth through a unique dual-action of triggered antibiotic release and direct photothermal effects.
Anastassiya is a chemist and deep-tech project lead (Aster Bioelectronics, i.g.) with a strong drive for translating scientific innovation into practical applications. For her doctoral research, she engineered NIR light-responsive giant lipid vesicles functionalized with gold nanoparticles for controlled cargo delivery. Seeking to focus on more applied research, she transitioned her expertise toward designing advanced biosensing interfaces that bridge the gap between biochemistry and engineering. As a member of the EXIST-Women network, she is passionate about supporting female entrepreneurship and empowering women to take on leadership and founding roles in deep-tech spin-offs.
