Luminous Odyssey: NGQDs Light the Way for Alzheimer’s Drug Delivery

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are at the cutting edge of modern biophysics research, with numerous applications in areas like cellular imaging and drug delivery. Their excellent biocompatibility and superior imaging capabilities in the near-infrared (NIR) spectrum have made them increasingly popular for bioimaging, positioning them as valuable tools in advanced biomedical applications. In our research, we combine Nitrogen-doped GQDs (NGQDs) with the ligand L2 to create a drug delivery system for L2, an anti-Alzheimer’s drug. L2 binds to free radicals that are detrimental to the brain. However, L2 faces challenges in traversing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) due to its inherent properties. However, the blood-brain barrier is permeable to NGQDs. Hence, we are using NGQDs as a vehicle to facilitate the transport of L2 across the BBB. Furthermore, the intrinsic fluorescence of NGQDs within the body enables us to safely monitor and track the hybrid system, ensuring its successful delivery to the targeted organ – the brain.