A revolutionary form of ultraviolet (UV) light, capable of precisely targeting cancerous cells, is being showcased at the Royal Society Science Exhibition in London this week.
The u-Care project, a collaboration of engineers, physicists, clinicians, and biologists from Heriot-Watt University, and the Universities of Bath and Edinburgh, aims to use deep UV light to remove tumor cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissues.
Using optical fibers similar to those used for internet transmission, the scientists plan to deliver low-wavelength UV light. This method could enable ultra-precise surgery, ensuring the complete removal of even the smallest tumors.
The research team will present their work at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in July. This annual event highlights advanced research from across the UK, featuring 14 flagship exhibits, 40 talks, 30 hands-on activities, and more than 250 scientists. It is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors, including school groups, families, and science enthusiasts, over six days.
The u-Care exhibit, titled “UV or not UV?”, will engage visitors with activities such as aiming a laser at a target brain, designing UV-reactive wristbands, and admiring a chandelier made from optical fiber production scraps.
Professor Robert Thomson, a photonics expert at Heriot-Watt University and the lead of the u-Care project, emphasized the urgent need for new therapies to tackle major medical challenges, including drug-resistant superbugs and precise cellular surgery for cancer. He highlighted UV light as a potential solution to these public health issues and expressed enthusiasm about presenting the research at the exhibition to inspire future scientists.
Professor William Wadsworth from the University of Bath, another key member of the team, expressed excitement about presenting their findings. He praised the progress made by PhD student Robbie Mears and post-doctoral researcher Dr. Kerrianne Harrington in enhancing the performance of hollow optical fibers in the deep UV spectrum. They have achieved light wavelengths so short that they cannot travel through air, being absorbed by oxygen and water molecules.
The u-Care project, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council’s (EPSRC) ‘Transformative Healthcare Technologies for 2050’ call in 2020, consists of 35 researchers from the three universities. The Bath team includes Professors Tim Birks, Jonathan Knight, and Dr. Jim Stone, all from the Department of Physics.
