Decomposition of amyloid fibrils by NIR-active upconversion nanoparticles

We demonstrate amyloid fibril (AF) decomposition induced by NIR-active upconversion nanoparticles complexed with photosensitisers. The process is triggered by upconversion, which initiates a photochemical reaction cascade that culminates in the generation of the highly reactive singlet-oxygen product 1 O 2 close to the amyloid superstructures, resulting in AF decomposition. Proposed energy-transfer mechanisms showing the amyloid fibril decomposition process via upconversion trigged by NIR excitation.