Themed collection In memory of Giulio Jori

An obituary dedicated to Giulio Jori (1939–2014), a deeply admired and respected scientific leader and outstanding inspirational photobiologist of our times.

In general, extensive eradication of pathogens can be achieved under mild irradiation conditions, guaranteeing high selectivity. Moreover, the photosensitised inactivation of microorganisms is typically a multi-target process; consequently the selection of photoresistant microbial strains is very unlikely.

The combination of light and a photosensitising drug is currently being applied to the treatment of diseases caused by bacteria, yeasts, viruses and parasites, as well as to sterilisation of blood and other products.

Photothermal sensitisation is promoted by high energy pulsed irradiation of Sens and induces cell death.

Chemical structure of BOHTMPn (A) and GlamTMPn (B) conjugated to polylysine oligomers to generate efficient antibacterial photosensitizers.

The synthesis and improved purification of C12 porphyrin are reported here.

A tetracationic meso-substituted amphiphilic porphyrin (abbreviated as C14) was encapsulated within silica microparticles to yield a conjugate which is shown to photodynamically kill Gram-positive (MRSA) and Gram-negative (E. Coli) bacteria.

A larvicidal porphyrin photosensitizer was tested on non target components of the ecosystem typical of Anopheles larvae, such as ciliated protozoa and branchiopod crustaceans.

TN-Et-PyP-mediated photosensitization of E. coli cells upon blue light-irradiation induces an increased permeability of the outer membrane and subsequent damage of the inner membrane.

High energy pulse irradiation of cyanine-loaded melanoma cells with a Ti:sapphire laser at 810 nm promotes a photothermally sensitized process, which induces cell death via generation of a shock wave and consequent ejection of large masses of cytoplasmic materia.

A boronated phthalocyanine i.v.-injected to a melanoma-bearing mouse acts as both a neutron- and a photo-sensitizer inducing an efficient tumour response, thus opening the way to a combined BNCT–PDT therapy for cancer.

Photosenitization of Acanthamoeba palestinensis with a tetracationic phthalocyanine causes extensive damage of vacuoles and the nucleus.

Photofrin can act as both photosensitiser and radiosensitiser for solid tumours, opening the perspective for a novel tumour treatment, based on a combination of radiation therapy and photodynamic therapy.

A newly synthesized octacationic Zn(II)-phthalocyanine at 1 μM concentration exhibits a high phototoxicity against both E. coli and methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Such an efficient photosensitised killing of bacterial cells is likely to be due to the high yield of ¹O₂ production upon red light-irradiation.

Typical fluorescence microscope image showing the accumulation of porphyrin by Colpoda cysts and example of photodamaged Colpoda cysts.