Harnessing Croconaine Organic Photosensitizers for a Milder Surface‐Mediated Transfection

Abstract Polydopamine‐based materials, notably Polydopamine‐polyethyleneimine (PDA‐PEI), have gained considerable interest for surface‐mediated transfection. However, the high laser power density required to achieve high transfection efficiency poses a significant challenge in preserving cell viability. An organic photosensitizer CRO32TMI was developed to improve the photothermal conversion capability of PDA‐PEI. The modified PDA‐PEI‐CRO32TMI exhibited remarkable photothermal and photostability properties upon NIR irradiation, enabling it to achieve better transfection efficiency at lower laser power density as compared to the traditional solution or lipid‐based transfection methods.