New opportunities for molecular photoswitches as wearable ultraviolet radiation dosimeters
Lauren E. Blackwell A , Sandra Wiedbrauk A B and Nathan R. B. Boase
A B *
A
B
Lauren Blackwell completed undergraduate studies in chemistry and software engineering from the Queensland University of Technology in 2023. Since 2020, she has worked on a variety of organic synthesis and analysis projects under the supervision of Dr Nathan Boase. Specifically, she has an interest in organic small molecules for use in health and medical applications. |
Sandra Wiedbrauk received her PhD in organic chemistry from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich in 2018 under the supervision of Prof. Henry Dube. In 2018, she joined Queensland University of Technology as a postdoctoral fellow to work on advanced materials. Since 2021, she has been working in the research group of Kathryn E. Fairfull-Smith on anti-biofilm molecules. |
Nathan Boase is a senior lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology, a member of the Centre for Materials Science, and a co-leader of the Medicinal Molecules and Materials Group. He completed his PhD at The University of Queensland in 2015. In 2019, he was recognised as a CAS Future Leader in chemistry and received an Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS) Tall Poppy Science Award in 2023. His current research explores controlled synthetic strategies to design materials that can respond to their environment. These materials are applied to solve significant challenges in health care, such as antibiotic coatings, environmental sensing, nanomedicine and antiviral therapies. |
Abstract
Australians have the highest incidence of melanoma globally, despite increasing awareness of the risks of excessive sun exposure. Although excess ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can cause irreparable cell damage and lead to cancer, some exposure is vital to maintain bodily processes such as vitamin D production. For an individual, finding the balance between healthy exposure and skin damage is largely guesswork. The ability to provide a simple, individualised indicator of cumulative UVR dosage could be transformative in preventing skin cancer. This review will provide a brief overview of the variety of UVR sensor technologies and explain the important role of colourimetric dosimeters. The chemistry behind some recent examples of colourimetric dosimeters will be discussed, identifying that molecular photoswitches are ideal candidates to enable this technology. We discuss the chemical mechanisms of photoswitches and how to modify their chemical structure to optimise their properties for use as dosimeters. Through this lens, diarylethenes have been identified as prime dosimeter candidates, owing to their sensitivity, stability, adaptability and the variety of visually striking colours possible. Finally, some specific challenges are identified in the design and fabrication of personalised colourimetric dosimeters that can equitably meet the requirements of all users in our community.
Keywords: diarylethene, dosimeter, melanoma, photochrome, photoswitch, skin cancer, UV radiation, wearable.
Lauren Blackwell completed undergraduate studies in chemistry and software engineering from the Queensland University of Technology in 2023. Since 2020, she has worked on a variety of organic synthesis and analysis projects under the supervision of Dr Nathan Boase. Specifically, she has an interest in organic small molecules for use in health and medical applications. |
Sandra Wiedbrauk received her PhD in organic chemistry from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich in 2018 under the supervision of Prof. Henry Dube. In 2018, she joined Queensland University of Technology as a postdoctoral fellow to work on advanced materials. Since 2021, she has been working in the research group of Kathryn E. Fairfull-Smith on anti-biofilm molecules. |
Nathan Boase is a senior lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology, a member of the Centre for Materials Science, and a co-leader of the Medicinal Molecules and Materials Group. He completed his PhD at The University of Queensland in 2015. In 2019, he was recognised as a CAS Future Leader in chemistry and received an Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS) Tall Poppy Science Award in 2023. His current research explores controlled synthetic strategies to design materials that can respond to their environment. These materials are applied to solve significant challenges in health care, such as antibiotic coatings, environmental sensing, nanomedicine and antiviral therapies. |
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