Functional PPV-based Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles as a Versatile Bioimaging Probe

Abstract

Recently, a new potential candidate has arose in the bioimaging field, namely nanoparticles constructed out of conjugated polymers. It is their unique combination of first-rate optical properties and excellent biocompatibility that makes them outstanding fluorophores. Unfortunately, an essential feature required for usage is biomedical applications is still lacking for many conjugated polymer nanoparticles, namely the ability to functionalize their surface, due to the absence of anchoring points. Hence this dissertation focuses to overcome this obstacle through the design of NP constructs out of recently developed functional poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV). The dissertation is a composition of four manuscripts, preceded by a general introduction and followed by a discussion. The introduction provides a review of the birth as well as the current status of the field of PPV-based bioimaging probes. The summary encompasses all findings and puts them into perspective to address the different research aims. To conclude, a section is devoted to the future perspective with regard to the use of functional PPVs for bioimaging purposes.