Novel Visible Light-Responsive Molecules as Actuators for "On Demand” Drug Delivery

Light-responsive delivery systems provide a non-invasive approach to accurately control the site, timing and dosage of released drugs, significantly enhancing the outcome and decreasing the adverse effects of therapeutics. This thesis describes the development of visible light-responsive drug delivery systems by incorporating photoswitchable molecules in lipid-based nanomaterials. The developed systems can be transitioned from a “slow release” pattern to a “fast release” pattern in situ repeatedly through an external light source, showing great potential for the treatment of ocular diseases.