Investigating targeted PDT drugs as herbicidal and anti-microbial agents

Photodynamic Therapies are beginning to show clinical efficacy, however, application of the technology in non-mammalian species has been limited due to difficulties generating photoactivatable compounds. LightOx has developed novel photochemistry that allows the development of small molecular weight photosensitive chemicals. These compounds can be taken up by bacteria and plant cells and show no toxicity in the absence of irradiation. The mechanism by which PDT kills cells is different from that of conventional antibiotics and herbicides. As the problem of antibiotic and herbicide resistance is on the rise globally, this project aims is to generate evidence on the potential of these compounds to selectively target and destroy antibiotic-resistant microbes and herbicide-resistant weeds. Providing new treatment methods to aid in the fight against these global issues.