Author Interviews, Dermatology, Technology, UCLA / 05.10.2016

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Andrea M Armani PhD Fluor Early Career Chair and Associate Professor Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The “Internet of Things” (IoT) has seen an explosion in online sensor technologies, including UV sensors and monitors; for example, those from Apple and Samsung. However, they require connectivity and power, and they are integrated into delicate electronic systems that are not compatible with outdoor, athletic activities such as swimming, which is precisely when you should monitor UV exposure. Therefore, somewhat ironically, the technologies developed to meet the demands of the IoT are not ideal for cumulative UV exposure detection. Our goal was to develop a single use patch – like a smart “band-aid” – for the beach to alert users when they had been in the sun for an hour and needed to re-apply sunscreen or get out of the sun altogether. This application required a rugged system that was waterproof, bendable, and compatible with sunscreen. Additionally, the sensor readout needed to be easy to interpret. These requirements influenced our design and material selection. (more…)
Author Interviews, Dermatology / 01.07.2015

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Jennifer Latimer PhD Department of Dermatology at Newcastle University Newcastle, UK MedicalResearch: What is the background for this study? Dr. Latimer: There is extensive knowledge of the wavelength effects of UV on the skin to the nuclear DNA level. However the effects on mitochondrial DNA were unknown. The mitochondria have important links with aging and skin cancer and therefore knowing the individual UV wavelength effects is important. MedicalResearch: What are the main findings? Dr. Latimer: The main findings of this study were that the shorter and more energetic UVB wavelengths of UV were the most damaging to mitochondrial DNA. Furthermore we found that the skin fibroblast cells – those predominant in the deeper dermis layers of the skin were more sensitive to UV than keratinocytes, the main cells within the upper epidermis layer of the skin. (more…)