Seeing Life Through a New Light: Photonics for healthcare and medicine
Lead Research Organisation:
University of St Andrews
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Light is amazing: Advanced light sources such as lasers are now commonplace in CD/data storage systems in our homes, supermarket bar code readers, telecommunications systems and in media displays. Very notably over the last decade light has made a deep impact in our ability to interrogate and influence the motion of biological samples (e.g. cells, DNA) and even atoms creating even a state of matter knows as the superatom (Bose-Einstein condensation). These changes are quite simply astounding. Light can exert forces to trap (localise) and move microscopic objects (like a cell) and atoms to a small region of space. Light also allows us amazing advances with the ability image cells, track proteins and even perform laser surgery for treatment of skin conditions, tumours and certain forms of cancer. Light is quite simply changing our life.This series of shows incorporates cutting -edge lectures and demonstrations with hands-on experience to show visitors how light can observe and move objects that are very small, smaller than the width of a human hair, how light can treat some forms of cancer and be used in modern medicine and healthcare. The aim will be to convey the basic principles of light and physics that allow us to make these advances and pave the way for exciting 21st century interdisciplinary science and advanced healthcare.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Kishan Dholakia (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | we developed a range of activities for outreach based on optics and photonics to explain key principles to a wider public and schools audience. Key presentations were also developed, a major attempt was undertaken to engage with specialist groups including the elderly and healthcare workers to disseminate this area of science to 'new audiences' |
| Exploitation Route | We have given material out to Schools and engaged with other educators to discuss broadening awareness of optics and photonics in Schools |
| Sectors | Education |
| URL | https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/seeinglife/ |
| Description | The grant established a range of new outreach demonstrations and talk material that was used for presentations to the general public (incl. the elderly population, healthcare groups, patients) as well as school children. A large number of events were undertaken incl. open days, Science festivals and public events. The grant enabled very strong awareness of the use of optics and photonics in life and particularly healthcare |
| First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
| Sector | Education |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |