| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S16843/01 |
| Title: |
Synthesis, characterisation and performance of novel porphyrin-incorporated intraocular lens biomaterials |
| Principal Investigator: |
Jones, Professor DS |
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| Department: |
Sch of Pharmacy |
| Organisation: |
Queen's University of Belfast |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
26 June 2003 |
Ends: |
25 June 2006 |
Value (£): |
241,676
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Potentially the most devastating complication of cataract surgery, which 200,000 patients undergo annually in the UK, is infectious endophthalmitis. Current antibiotic therapy is ineffective so a mechanism for reduction in its incidence is timely and important from both quality of life and financial perspectives. This investigation proposes a novel application of photodynamic therapy by incorporating porphyrin sensitisers on the surface of replacement intraocular lenses (IOLs). The first step in endophthalmitis involves postoperative colonisation of the IOL surface by bacterial pathogens. The proposed IOL materials will produce cytotoxic effects at the precise site of infection by generation of singlet oxygen through sensitiser excitation b ambient sunlight. The low concentrations of sensitiser required will not affect the optical transparency of the IOL and the mechanisms of incorporation will ensure the sensitiser does not leach from the IOL to the surrounding humor. Two mechanisms for sensitiser incorporation will be used; firstly charged sensitisers will be electrostatically bound to oppositely-charged hydrogels and secondly a sensitiser-hydrogel copolymer will be coated on existing IOLs. Full mechanical, spectroscopic and microbiological assessments of performance of the new materials will be carried out.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.qub.ac.uk |