Bio-inspired phototheranostic nanoplatforms for cancer and infectious diseases management

The global cancer burden and recent pandemic have underscored the urgent demand for next-generation therapies and real-time diagnostic tools capable of early pathogen detection. In response, phototheranostic nanomedicine has emerged as a highly interdisciplinary field that merges light-responsive nanotechnology with molecular biotechnology to enable personalized, precision interventions for oncology and infectious disease management. This work advances that field by designing bio-inspired phototheranostic platforms for cancer therapy, imaging, and pathogen diagnostics. The central objective is to integrate phototherapy, smart drug delivery, and biomolecular engineering to achieve targeted delivery, higher therapeutic efficiency with lower drug doses, controlled activation, and enhanced signal amplification for imaging. A primary focus is the rational engineering of protein-based drug delivery systems as biocompatible vectors. Proteins serve as versatile scaffolds for hosting therapeutic and imaging agents through covalent or supramolecular interactions. The “Trojan Horse” strategy encapsulates hydrophobic photosensitizers within single proteins, improving solubility, stability, and photodynamic performance. Computational modelling and biochemical studies guide stable complex formation, while in vitro assays confirm strong reactive oxygen species generation and efficient light-triggered cytotoxicity. The research also introduces chemophototherapy, repurposing conventional chemotherapeutics as photoactive agents. Light activation amplifies oxidative stress and cytotoxicity while maintaining low dark toxicity, enabling single-molecule treatment strategies with superior spatiotemporal control and improved pharmacological consistency. Parallel efforts develop electrochemiluminescent biosensors using engineered antibodies and bio-vector platforms to achieve sensitive pathogen detection. These adaptable systems demonstrate scalable diagnostic potential with high reliability and reduced false outcomes. Together, these contributions establish an integrated framework merging protein engineering, photophysics, and biosensing to deliver minimally invasive, light-controlled therapeutic and diagnostic technologies for future precision healthcare. These platforms integrate strengthen translational readiness, supporting customizable treatment pathways and rapid diagnostic deployment, ultimately promoting personalised healthcare strategies capable of addressing evolving biomedical challenges across diverse clinical environments.