Photosensitizer
Photosensitizer
A photosensitizer is a molecule that produces a chemical change in another molecule in a photochemical process. Photosensitizers are commonly used in photodynamic therapy for treating cancer and other diseases. They can also be used in photolithography, photochemistry, and in a variety of other applications.
Mechanism of action[edit | edit source]
Photosensitizers work by absorbing light energy and transferring it to other molecules. The energy can be transferred either by a process called energy transfer, in which the energy is transferred directly to the other molecule, or by a process called electron transfer, in which an electron is transferred from the photosensitizer to the other molecule.
In photodynamic therapy, the photosensitizer is administered to the patient and then activated by light of a specific wavelength. The activated photosensitizer then transfers its energy to oxygen molecules, producing reactive oxygen species that can kill cancer cells.
Types of photosensitizers[edit | edit source]
There are several types of photosensitizers, including porphyrins, chlorins, and phthalocyanines. Each type has its own unique properties and uses.
Porphyrins[edit | edit source]
Porphyrins are a group of organic compounds that are widely used as photosensitizers. They have a complex ring structure that allows them to absorb light in the visible spectrum. Porphyrins are used in photodynamic therapy and in the production of solar cells.
Chlorins[edit | edit source]
Chlorins are a type of photosensitizer that are derived from chlorophyll, the molecule that plants use to absorb light for photosynthesis. Chlorins have a similar structure to porphyrins, but they absorb light at longer wavelengths. This makes them particularly useful for photodynamic therapy, as they can penetrate deeper into tissues.
Phthalocyanines[edit | edit source]
Phthalocyanines are a type of photosensitizer that are similar to porphyrins and chlorins, but they have a larger ring structure. This allows them to absorb light at even longer wavelengths, making them useful for applications that require deep penetration into tissues.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
| Photosensitizer Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
