How do you make a nanoparticle that tells you where it is and helps at the same time?
In this episode, we dive into the chemistry behind polydiacetylene (PDA)—a polymer that changes colour when it senses temperature, pH, or stress.
Researchers combined PDA with biodegradable poly(glycerol adipate) to create self-reporting nanoparticles that:
Change colour from blue to red under stress or heat
Track cells and nematodes without any added fluorescent dyes
Degrade naturally via enzymatic action
Carry drugs like usnic acid for therapeutic delivery
It’s a step toward theranostic polymers—materials that diagnose and treat simultaneously, glowing as they go. Even C. elegans joined the test, confirming safe uptake and real-time visibility.
📖 Based on the research article:
“Tailoring the Properties of Polydiacetylene Nanosystems for Enhanced Cell Tracking Through Poly(glycerol Adipate) Blending: an In Vitro and In Vivo Investigation”
Benedetta Brugnoli, Eleni Axioti, Philippa L. Jacob, Nana A. Berfi, Lei Lei, Benoit Couturaud, Veeren M. Chauhan, Robert J. Cavanagh, Luciano Galantini, Iolanda Francolini & Vincenzo Taresco
Published in Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics (2025)
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.202500259
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