Photobiology Research

Introduction

Projects Underway

Technical Services

Introduction

Headed by Dr Vivienne Reeve, the group has successfully maintained a breeding colony of unique strains of hairless mice suitable for use as in vivo models for studying the responses of the skin to ultraviolet radiation. The research is focussed on understanding the mechanisms by which UV radiation suppresses systemic immunity, and on devising strategies for immunoprotection that will ultimately reduce the risk of the development of skin cancer.

Projects Underway

1. The anti-cancer properties of metal-conjugated anti-inflammatory drugs. (Ms Kueh)
2. Mouse models of autoimmune diseases for testing the therapeutic properties of isoflavonoids. (Dr Allanson, Zachary Chai)
3. The mechanism of heme oxygenase protection against UV-induced immune suppression and skin cancer (Dr Allanson, A/Pr Reeve)
4. Protection by topical phosphodiesterases against UV-induced skin damage (Dr Allanson)
5. The regulatory role of oestrogen receptor signalling in skin responses to UV radiation (Jun Lae Cho, A/Pr Reeve, Ms Painter, Ms Titmuss)
6. Metallothionein in the skin and photoprotection (Ms Titmuss, Ms Kueh).
7. Interactions between the UVA and UVB wavebands regulating skin responses. (A/Pr Reeve, Ms Titmuss, Ms Painter).
8. Anti-inflammatory potential of frequency specific microcurrent radiation in laboratory mice and companion animals (Avril Baird, A/Pr Reeve).

The projects are all based here on campus, most using mice from the Veterinary Science mouse colony. Project 8 extends also into the clinic, for treatment of arthritic cats and dogs.

Technical Services

We have established reproducible models of carcinogenesis in the mouse, that we have used for testing of many potential anti-cancer agents, in pure basic research and in collaboration with Industry partners, such as sunscreens, phytochemicals, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory drugs, dietary alterations, other natural compounds.

Skin tumours (squamous cell carcinoma) can be induced in mice by chronic UV exposures, and systemic or topical agents tested for effects on the rate of tumour development.

Transplantable tumours (melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma) are maintained as cultured cells, and can be injected into recipient mice intradermally, subcutaneously or intravenously, and agents tested for effects on rate of tumour growth.

As UV radiation is immunosuppressive, immune modulating drugs can be tested by their effects on the suppression of the contact hypersensitivity response in mice, an immune response that is relevant to human T cell mediated immune reactions. We have acknowledged expertise in this sensitive assay. Supporting evidence of immune status can be obtained by detection of immune mediators such as cytokines or key enzymes, in tissues using molecular biology, and immunohistochemistry.