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Abstract
Hospital Associated Infections (HAIs) represent a formidable challenge in healthcare, with antibiotics, the primary solution, increasingly leading to antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. In this context, exploring alternative antimicrobial agents becomes imperative. Nitric oxide (NO), a free radical produced by endothelial cells, macrophages, and neurons, exhibits exceptional antimicrobial properties. Its ability to target a broad spectrum of pathogens makes it an attractive candidate for combating HAIs. However, effective stimuli-responsive NO delivery remains a hurdle, prompting the investigation of innovative controlled-release approaches.One such approach involves the use of photosensitizers, which are activated by light to trigger localized release mechanisms. By harnessing light as the activating agent, photosensitizers offer a means to achieve controlled and targeted NO release. This thesis aims to delve into the synergy between photosensitizers and NO, exploring the combined photodynamic (ROS + NO) and photothermal (heat + NO) effects. These synergistic mechanisms hold promise for disinfection applications, particularly on medical devices where microbial contamination poses significant risks.