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| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/D50239X/1 |
| Title: |
Optics via cell culture |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dr H White-Cooper |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-investigator: |
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| Project Partner: |
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| Department: |
Zoology |
| Organisation: |
University of Oxford |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research |
| Starts: |
01 November 2005 |
Ends: |
31 October 2006 |
Value (£): |
104,062
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Optical Devices and Subsystems |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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19 Apr 2005
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Basic Tech Prog Call 5 Outlines/POC Panel
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Announced
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Summary |
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A diversity of optical devices (lenses, reflectors and anti-reflectors) exists in nature, some desirable for industrial applications. We propose a novel project whereby the living cells manufacturing optical devices are identified and cultured, and the optics themselves are farmed in a laboratory. Studies in unrelated fields suggest that this is feasible, but a pilot study is necessary to demonstrate that one optical device can be grown and harvested in the laboratory from a single cell. That is the principal aim within this proposal. It could lay the foundations of a new technology in the optics industry, from where the potential for future projects is considerable. This project would activate the newly formed Oxford Group Researching Optics in Nature.
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| Final Report Summary |
A diversity of optical devices (lenses, reflectors and anti-reflectors) exists in nature, some desirable for industrial applications. We proposed a novel project whereby the living cells manufacturing optical devices are identified and cultured, and the optics themselves are farmed in a laboratory. Studies in unrelated fields suggested that this was feasible, we carried out a pilot study to demonstrate that one optical device can be grown and harvested in the laboratory from a single cell.
Our inital experiments involved culture of the cells that develop to form the scales on butterfly wings. We were able to excise developing wings from butterflies, maintain the cells in tissue culture, and have them develop scales in culture. We analysed the physical and optical properties of natural butterfly scales and compared them to the properties of the cultured scales. While the approach was moderately successful, we determined that making stable lines of cells, that we could maintain in culture, would be technically extremely difficult and that use of such methods would be extremely expensive to scale up for industrial applications.
We therefore turned our attention to the potential culture and applications of other natural optical devices. We focussed on structures from plants, viruses and diatoms, and found that diatoms were the most promising of the systems. Their silica cell wall contains a regular array of pores that allow it to interact with visible light interesting and useful ways - they have photonic crystal properties. Culture of diatoms is relatively cheap and straightforward, and we were able to make simple modifications to the culture conditions that probably alter the photonic properties of the silica.
In addition to making significant scientific progress we also built a strong collaboration between biologists in the Zoology department and optical specialists in Engineering. We had regular meetings to discuss experimental strategies, progress and future directions. This collaborative group, including Dr Townley (the research assistant employed on this grant) as a researcher co-applicant, has recently submitted an application to BBSRC for further funding of the diatom project.
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ox.ac.uk |
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