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Chemoresistance is one of the major challenges for cancer treatment, more recently ascribed to defective mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), significantly diminishing chemotherapeutic agent‐induced apoptosis. A boron‐dipyrromethene (BODIPY) chromophore‐based triarylsulfonium photoacid generator (BD‐PAG) was used to target mitochondria with the aim to regulate mitochondrial pH and further depolarize the mitochondrial membrane. Cell viability assays demonstrated the relative biocompatibility of BD‐PAG in the dark while live cell imaging suggested high accumulation in mitochondria. Specific assays indicated that BD‐PAG is capable of regulating mitochondrial pH with significant effects on mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Therapeutic tests using chlorambucil in combination with BD‐PAG revealed a new strategy in chemoresistance suppression.

 

Acid‐sensing ion channels (ASICs), present in both central and peripheral neurons, respond to changes in extracellular protons. They play important roles in many symptoms and diseases, such as pain, ischemic stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we report a novel approach to activate ASICs with the precision of light using organic photoacid generators (PAGs), which are molecules that release H⁺upon light illumination, and have been recently used in biomedical studies. The PAGs showed low toxicity in dark conditions. Under LED light illumination, ASICs activation and consequent calcium ion influx was monitored and analysed by fluorescence microscopy, and showed a strong light‐dependent response. This approach allows the activation of ASICs with the precision of light, and may be valuable to help better elucidate the molecular mechanism of ASICs and unveil their roles in physiology, pathophysiology, and behaviour.

 

Optical and X-ray spectroscopy studies reveal the location and role of Fe 3+ sites incorporated through direct synthesis in NH 2 -MIL-125(Ti). Fe K-edge XAS analysis confirms its metal–oxo cluster node coordination while time-resolved optical and X-ray transient absorption studies disclose its role as an electron trap site, promoting long-lived photo-induced charge separation in the framework. Notably, XTA measurements show sustained electron reduction of the Fe sites into the microsecond time range. Comparison with an Fe-doped MOF generated through post-synthetic modification indicates that only the direct synthesis approach affords efficient Fe participation in the charge separated excited state.