How do you make a nanoparticle that tells you where it is and helps at the same time? In this episode, we dive into the chemistry behind polydiacetylene (PDA)—a polymer that changes colour when it senses temperature, pH, or stress.

Researchers combined PDA with biodegradable poly(glycerol adipate) to create self-reporting nanoparticles that:

Change colour from blue to red under stress or heat Track cells and nematodes without any added fluorescent dyes Degrade naturally via enzymatic action Carry drugs like usnic acid for therapeutic delivery

It’s a step toward theranostic polymers—materials that diagnose and treat simultaneously, glowing as they go. Even C. elegans joined the test, confirming safe uptake and real-time visibility.

📖 Based on the research article: “Tailoring the Properties of Polydiacetylene Nanosystems for Enhanced Cell Tracking Through Poly(glycerol Adipate) Blending: an In Vitro and In Vivo Investigation” Benedetta Brugnoli, Eleni Axioti, Philippa L. Jacob, Nana A. Berfi, Lei Lei, Benoit Couturaud, Veeren M. Chauhan, Robert J. Cavanagh, Luciano Galantini, Iolanda Francolini & Vincenzo Taresco Published in Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics (2025) 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.202500259

🎧 Subscribe to the WOrM Podcast for more bright ideas in molecular sensing, smart polymers, and organism-level science.

This podcast is generated with artificial intelligence and curated by Veeren. If you’d like your publication featured on the show, please get in touch.

📩 More info: 🔗 ⁠⁠www.veerenchauhan.com⁠⁠ 📧 [email protected]

Tracking drug delivery inside cells is a challenge when the drug carrier itself is invisible. In this episode, we discuss a breakthrough in polymer science: the creation of fluorescent poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles using a one-step, solvent-free dye-initiated polymerisation process. By covalently attaching dyes (blue, green, or red) to every PLGA chain, these nanoparticles become intrinsically fluorescent—meaning their position can be accurately tracked inside cells and tissues, without the risk of dye leakage. This study shows how these fluorescent PLGA nanoparticles behave in: Human THP-1 macrophages, where they were tracked using super-resolution microscopy.Live Caenorhabditis elegans, where their journey through the digestive tract was mapped.Drug delivery experiments, where the release of the anticancer drug doxorubicin was simultaneously tracked alongside the polymer carrier.This innovation offers a powerful new tool for researchers studying drug delivery, vaccine carriers, and polymer biodistribution. 📖 Based on the research article:"Facile Dye-Initiated Polymerization of Lactide–Glycolide Generates Highly Fluorescent Poly(lactic-co-glycolic Acid) for Enhanced Characterization of Cellular Delivery"Mohammad A. Al-Natour, Mohamed D. Yousif, Robert Cavanagh, Amjad Abouselo, Edward A. Apebende, Amir Ghaemmaghami, Dong-Hyun Kim, Jonathan W. Aylott, Vincenzo Taresco, Veeren M. Chauhan & Cameron Alexander. Published in ACS Macro Letters (2020).🔗 Read the full paper 🎧 Subscribe to the WoRM Podcast for more discoveries at the interface of polymers, drug delivery, and whole-organism research! This podcast is generated with artificial intelligence and curated by Veeren. If you’d like your publication featured on the show, please get in touch.

📩 More info: 🔗 www.veerenchauhan.com 📧 [email protected]