Edinburgh Instruments
Edinburgh Instruments, UK, 21 April 2011 - In a recently published paper in the Royal Society Interface journal Edinburgh Instruments (EI) together with NHS Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion and Heriot-Watt University explored the possibility of early cataract diagnostics based on tryptophan fluorescence (TF).
According to the World Health Organisation, cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide affecting some 17 million people and causing 1.3 million cataract operations annually in the United States alone.
Currently, methods of cataract detection are based on subjective observation of lens opacity by Rayleigh light scattering. However they would not provide the protein-level detail offered by TF due to the limitation of these scattering techniques as the sizes of the structural defects must be comparable with the wavelength of light used, i.e. 400–600 nm. Hence, these methods do not reveal structural changes on a molecular level.
TF has been widely used for monitoring protein changes in biophysical research to detect protein folding, conformation and aggregation by virtue of shifts the emission spectrum in different polar microenvironments.
By creating artificial cataracts in the lenses from pigs' eyes, by means of UV radiation, experiments show that TF offers a sensitive method for monitoring very early changes in the lens structure that cannot be detected by the standard slit-lamp method. Spectral measurements were taken using an EI FLS920 spectrometer in a temperature controlled 1 cm quartz cuvette in Phosphate Buffer Solution at 22°C, this temperature retained uniform tissue viability over 16 hours.
Exploiting this discovery should allow the development of a clinically useful tool sensitive enough to detect, diagnose and monitor lens change before significant damage, light-scattering, aggregation and visual impairment occurs. This method could help to establish the point at which the irreversible crystalline protein change has occurred triggering the need for surgical intervention. It could also act as a more precise screening method for possible pharmacological treatment.
In addition, clinical applications of this method would help in diagnostics of early stages of metabolic disorders as, e.g. diabetes, preventative treatment of which could delay the development of chronic diseases. To read the full paper visit: http://rsif.royalsocietypublishing.org/
About Edinburgh Instruments www.edinst.com
Founded in 1971 by Professor S. D. Smith OBE Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), Edinburgh Instruments Ltd (EI) has become recognised as a leading light in the photonics and electro-optics industries. Formed as the first spin-off from Heriot-Watt University, it was the first private company on Britain's first University "Research Park".
It is now located in purpose built 12,800 sq.ft. facilities just outside Edinburgh, where it employs over 60 people. The company is involved in the development, manufacture and sale of a wide range of high technology products for the scientific research and industrial markets. Product ranges include lasers, analytical spectrometers supplied by the Photonics Division and gas detection and monitoring products supplied by the Sensors Division.
Following rapid expansion, by the 1980's a full range of UV to Far Infra-Red lasers, these include gas lasers both sealed and flowing, CW and pulsed CO2, CO and FIR lasers were made available to the market.Pioneers of Time Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC), in 1978 the company developed a Fluorescence Lifetime Spectrometer system based around the successful nanosecond flashlamp. This product range has culminated in the development of the latest computer controlled, combined Steady State and Fluorescence Lifetime Spectrometers hitting the market: the FLS920 is truly a world class, state of the art fluorescence laboratory in a single instrument.
Product diversification continued with the development of CO, CO2 and CH4 gas sensors. Based on very compact interference filter infra-red technology these devices are available as OEM cards or complete monitoring and detection packages, supplied through the Sensors Division.
EI products are used in an extensive range of markets and applications these include:
- Sample analysis for photochemistry, protein studies, interferometry, plasma diagnostics, biochemistry, protein studies, ablation, atmospheric studies, biophysics, solid state physics and material science
- EI EPLs and EPLEDs are used as an ideal excitation source for spectroscopy
- CO, CO2, CH4, Refrigerant, SF6 detection
Over the years EI has continually sought to diversify and develop new and innovative products, winning many international design, technology and export achievement awards.
We excel in providing one-to-one comprehensive customer service and continue to meet the needs of our customers worldwide.
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