Antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation with spectrum-tailored home light source
A light-based disinfection technology combining safe antimicrobial photosensitizers with color-conversion nanomaterials to effectively kill pathogens on household surfaces. The approach tailors home light emission to optimal antimicrobial wavelengths, offering a chemical-free disinfection solution for consumer applications.
Overview
This research proposes an antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) approach that uses safe photosensitizers (PSs) combined with spectrum-tailored home light sources to disinfect both soft and hard surfaces. The technology leverages established antimicrobial PSs alongside low-cost color conversion nanomaterials that adjust light emission to wavelengths matching each PS's absorption peak, maximizing disinfection efficacy. This dual-component approach enables effective elimination of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites on everyday surfaces using standard household lighting, offering a promising alternative to chemical disinfectants for consumer use.
Technical specifications
Antimicrobial photosensitizers (aPSs):
- Library of safe, water-soluble compounds including polycationic conjugates, phenothiazinium dyes, porphyrins, chlorins, curcumin, and riboflavin
- Broad-spectrum efficacy demonstrated against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites
- Validated in in-vitro, in-vivo, and clinical settings including wound and burn infections
- Potentiated by inorganic salts such as iodides and bromides
Color conversion nanomaterials:
- Tunable emission across 460-700 nm visible spectrum
- High color purity with 20-40 nm bandwidth
- Greater than 80% conversion efficiency
- Compatible with standard home light sources including LEDs and emerging quantum dot LEDs
Validation approach:
- Testing on soft cloth and hard surfaces (wooden, ceramic) infected with S. aureus, E. coli, C. albicans, and P. aeruginosa
- Evaluation of pathogen survival fraction with and without spectrum-tailored illumination
- Compatibility testing with common chelants and surfactants in cleaning products
- Safety and surface integrity assessment using industry-standard protocols
Technology readiness level
The underlying antimicrobial photosensitizers have been extensively validated through laboratory studies, animal models, and clinical applications, demonstrating efficacy across multiple pathogen types. The color conversion nanomaterial technology has shown proof-of-concept capability to tailor light emission to virtually any visible wavelength with high efficiency. Current development focuses on integrating these technologies for home consumer applications, with ongoing validation testing pathogen survival on representative surfaces under home lighting conditions. Safety assessments and evaluation of potential surface effects are being conducted in collaboration with industry partners to establish consumer readiness.
About Massachusetts General Hospital Immunobiology Lab
The Immunobiology Lab is a hospital-based research laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, a Harvard-affiliated academic medical center and core member of Mass General Brigham. Situated within the nation’s largest hospital-based research enterprise, it benefits from co-located core facilities, IRB-backed clinical research operations, and access to large, well-characterized patient cohorts. Investigators can leverage integrated biobank and EHR infrastructure for consented biospecimens and de-identified clinical data, strengthening translational collaborations with industry. Research is supported by substantial competitive federal funding, especially from the National Institutes of Health, and commercialization is enabled through Mass General Brigham Innovation’s IP, licensing, and partnering services.
delivered to your inbox.