SONOPTICS: EXPLOITING ULTRASOUND AND LASER SCIENCES FOR GENERIC NON-INVASIVE THERAPIES
Lead Research Organisation:
University of St Andrews
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The objective of this Basic Technology proposal is to revolutionise the delivery of genes, drugs and therapeutic molecules to single cells and tissue samples. We will use a unique marriage of concepts extracted from ultrasonics and photonics that are intrinsically generic in applicability. This new field will deliver unprecedented accuracy and control for delivery, together with improved efficacy and selectivity, and a much reduced risk of infection. This research will lead to a quantum leap for biologists who are studying the cell's chemical pathways or signals (cellular signal transduction) through to histological/clinical approaches. For example within a population of cells it will be possible to target each cell individually, introducing foreign biological material into any cell. This is central for studies in numerous human diseases. By the use of fibre optic delivery and endoscopes, we envisage that the realisation of this basic technology may allow us to develop a non-invasive surgical technique.
Organisations
Publications
Cizmár T
(2008)
Generation of multiple Bessel beams for a biophotonics workstation.
in Optics express
Marchington RF
(2010)
Optical injection of mammalian cells using a microfluidic platform.
in Biomedical optics express
Mthunzi P
(2010)
Phototransfection of mammalian cells using femtosecond laser pulses: optimization and applicability to stem cell differentiation.
in Journal of biomedical optics
Torres-Mapa ML
(2010)
Transient transfection of mammalian cells using a violet diode laser.
in Journal of biomedical optics
Tsampoula X
(2008)
Fibre based cellular transfection.
in Optics express
Tsampoula X
(2007)
Femtosecond cellular transfection using a nondiffracting light beam
in Applied Physics Letters
| Description | The grant developed new ways to place foreign material into cells using laser light. By developing new laser based approaches we found ways to introduce a range of therapeutic agents into cells. this could have implications for drug discovery studies, neuroscience and biotechnology |
| Exploitation Route | IP and know-how are licensed to a UK SME. Several other research groups are using the technology and new studies are forthcoming |
| Sectors | Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| URL | http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~photon/manipulation/ |
| Description | The work has been used by various groups for injection of therapeutic agents to various cell lines. The work has also been used to educate the public and school children on the light-matter interaction |
| First Year Of Impact | 2006 |
| Sector | Education,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | EPSRC |
| Amount | £964,449 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/H045368/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2011 |
| End | 01/2014 |
| Description | EPSRC |
| Amount | £964,449 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/H045368/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2010 |
| End | 06/2015 |