LUCENT · Light-triggered Ultra-precise Carbon-enhanced phycocyanin Engineered Needles for Therapy

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in Europe, and its incidence is rising due to UV exposure and ageing populations. While photodynamic therapy (PDT) is already used to treat non-melanoma lesions, current methods suffer from poor spatial precision, lack of feedback control, and dependence on oxygen. These limitations reduce efficacy and make treatment uncomfortable or inaccessible for many patients. In LUCENT, I aim to develop a smart, 3D-printed microneedle patch for light-activated cancer therapy. The device will combine two light-responsive materials: a natural dye (phycocyanin) that produces reactive oxygen species and provides optical feedback, with biocompatible carbon nanodots that generate mild heat to boost treatment in oxygen-poor areas. Together, they allow localised, self-regulated therapy activated by low-power red light, suitable for outpatient or home use. My project brings together photochemistry, nanomaterial design, and 3D biomedical fabrication within a unified therapeutic system. I will combine experimental and theoretical tools to study material behaviour under light, optimise performance, and validate the patch in skin-relevant models. My background in photophysics, carbon nanodots, and polymer-based optical devices prepares me to lead this challenge. The host institution offers world-class expertise in bio-based materials and a strong track record in interdisciplinary innovation. A secondment in 3D printing will support the translational path of the project. LUCENT will help me shift from fundamental research to applied therapy, establish my independence in light-responsive materials, and contribute to decentralised cancer care in Europe.