Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/N16464/01
Title:	ENDOSCOPIC FLUORESCENCE LIFETIME IMAGING FOR TISSUE DIAGNOSIS
Principal Investigator:	French, Professor P
Other Investigators:	Lever, Professor MJ Wallace, Dr A
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Physics
Organisation:	Imperial College London
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 July 2000	Ends:	30 June 2002	Value (£):	250,395
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Lasers & Optics
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Healthcare
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
our picosecond resolution fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) instrument at Imperial College has demonstrated excellent autofluoresence lifetime contrast between different biological tissues and states of biological tissue. We attribute much of the autofluorescence to the structural fibrous components elastin and collagen - specifically the cross-bridges within the molecular structure. We aim to investigate this assumption using an endoscope/arthroscope delivered FLIM system. The structure of the fibrous aggregates depends on factors such as age and applied stresses, as well as on chemical modification including glycation. FLIM appears to sensitive to these physical and chemical factors, as well as the local environment of the proteins. We are keen to apply our FLIM instrumentation to the diagnosis and prevention of degenerative joint disease - particularly promising since changes in the properties of specific proteins, particularly collagen, are major contributors to the pathology of e.g. osteoarthritis and in idiopathic abnormality of ligaments. FLIM should also be invaluable for assessing damage and viability of these tissues - relevant for the working population e.g. athletes, as well as for elderly patients. Modern arthroscopy combined with our whole-field FLIM technology should permit enhanced diagnosis of the articular cartilages within the joint and the ligaments in the surrounding capsule.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.imperial.ac.uk