Light Activation of PDT porphyrins in Order to Cleave DNA

Porphyrins, specifically metalloporphyrins, are used to cleave DNA, which can then be utilized as potential cancer treatments. These metalloporphyrins are activated with white or laser light and the amount of DNA cleavage that takes place is determined via gel electrophoresis. MnTTFMPP and MnTDCLPP are the metalloporphyrins that cleaved the DNA plasmids, pUC19 and pBr322 , the best of all those tested. MnTDCLPP had the best results under both the white light and the laser. MnTTFMPP shows a fair amount of cleavage under the white light and laser sources as well. MnTECP showed slight cleavage as well, and more testing will be done to determine if this metalloporphyrin can be improved. Current research involves further testing on which metalloporphyrins work best, research into providing the lowest light exposure time intervals and minimal concentrations needed in order for the reaction to still successfully take place. Further research will be conducted via laser light to determine the best wavelengths and the metalloporphyrins that respond best to this method.