Friday 22 March 4:00PM - 5:00PM
In this year’s Alex Hopkins Lecture, Professor David Phillips deals with the science of photo-medicine from a chemist’s point of view.
The subject encompasses effects of light on the skin; diagnostic uses of light and therapeutic aspects. We will concentrate on the latter, but not before a brief consideration of harmful effects of solar radiation on the skin. Therapeutic uses include treatment of skin complaints such as psoriasis, treatment of neo-natal jaundice, and photo-inactivation of viral, bacterial and fungal infections. The laser has revolutionised some aspects of medicine, and laser applications discussed briefly will include laser surgery using infrared and ultraviolet lasers. The main thrust of the lecture the use of lasers plus chemical photosensitisers to destroy tumours selectively (photodynamic therapy). The use of free photosensitisers in therapy will be exemplified, and recent research seeking better sensitisers in terms of effectiveness and particularly targeting will be discussed, including some of the lecturer’s own work using sensitiser/monoclonal antibody fragment conjugates. The topic, though serious, is light-hearted [pun intended!] in delivery, and is illustrated with many demonstrations.