Biophotonics Research Unit
Introduction
Biophotonics – ‘the use of light to measure biological changes that relate to disease’
The Biophotonics Research Unit within Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has international recognition for its work in pioneering techniques for the detection and diagnosis of early disease, to enable more successful treatment outcomes. This includes cancers, pre-cancers and local & systemic infections. We have strong links with numerous clinical, academic and commercial partners. The core programme of work has been recognised as ‘Strong’ (the highest rating) by the Department of Health since 2002.
The Unit’s goals are to pioneer the field of novel optical diagnostics within the clinical environment. This involves local, national and international research collaborations. The team is multidisciplinary in nature; made up of scientists (physicists, chemists and biologists) and clinicians (mainly surgeons). We lead research into vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and FT-IR), diagnostics for in vivo and in vitro discrimination of early cancers; degenerative diseases and local and systemic disease studies in body fluids. Other work by the group includes mid-IR hyperspectral imaging of tissues for pathological diagnostics and biochemical analysis; optical coherence tomography for real-time surgical targeting of disease and biopsy selection; photodynamic therapy for early cancers and dysplasia; and volatile analysis techniques for detection of infections.
Clinical needs being explored:
- Novel rapid diagnostics for early cancers, staging of cancers, identification of tumour margins and lymph node metastatic identification.
- Novel cancer therapeutics: Photodynamic therapy has been pioneered at Gloucester in the GI-tract, especially for use in the treatment of Barrett's dysplasia in the oesophagus.
- Identification/detection of local and systemic infection, acquired infection.
Novel Cancer Therapeutics
Photodynamic therapy in the oesophagus has been pioneered at Gloucester. For more information please click on the link below.
Contact Us
Professor Nick Stone
Biophotonics Research Unit
Leadon House
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Great Western Road
Gloucester
GL1 3NN
email: n.stone@medical-research-centre.com
Laser Safety Course
A laser safety course covering the MHRA Core of Knowledge is run twice a year (normally in May and November).