Researchers repurpose failed cancer drug into printable semiconductor

Many potential pharmaceuticals end up failing during clinical trials, but thanks to new NSF-funded research from the University of Illinois, biological molecules once considered for cancer treatment are now being repurposed as organic semiconductors for use in chemical sensors and transistors.

The researchers report their findings in the journal Nature Communications.

Organic semiconductors are responsible for things like flexible electronics and transparent solar cells, but researchers are working to expand their use in biomedicine and in devices that require interaction between electrically active molecules and biological molecules.

Chemical and biomolecular engineer Ying Diao was surprised when the two avenues of research -- pharmaceutical development and printable electronics -- merged with the discovery of semiconductor-like features in a well-studied bioactive molecule. The molecule, which inserts itself into DNA to prevent replication, was once explored as a potential anti-cancer agent.

"This convergence of two research areas was totally unexpected," Diao said. "While examining these pharmaceutical molecules, we noticed that their molecular structures looked much like the organic semiconductors we were working with in the rest of my group."

These molecules, called DNA topoisomerase inhibitors, are flat and contain neatly stacked columns of electrically conductive molecular rings -- features that make good semiconductors. Distinct from a typical semiconductor, these molecular columns are linked together by hydrogen bonds that can move charges from column to column, forming bridges that transform the entire molecular assembly into a semiconductor -- something rarely seen before this study, the researchers said.

"These molecules can interact with biological material with high specificity, making them good candidates for use in biosensors," Diao said. "They are also easily printable but will require new solvents because they are chemically different than other organic semiconductors. The fabrication infrastructure is already in place."

The research is funded by NSF's Division of Materials Research.