Research promises tears of joy for diabetics
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Through the use of
nanotechnology, Chemical and Biochemical Assistant professor Jin Zhang is using
extremely small particles embedded in the hydrogel contact lenses to monitor
and report on changing sugar levels in the body.
Jin Zhang holds a hydrogel contact lens.
These engineered
nanoparticles react with glucose molecules found in tears - similar to
those
found in blood - causing a chemical reaction. When there is a variation
in a person’s sugar
level, the contact lenses respond by changing their color.
“I know how people
can suffer from having to continually monitoring their blood. It can be very
uncomfortable,” she says. “This non-invasive method is now an alternative
choice to help manage their treatment. People realize how significant it can
be, so it’s very easy to get excited.”
Zhang is
cross-appointed with London’s Ivey Eye Institute, affiliated with the university,
and is working with clinical doctors on her research. She recently received
$216,342 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to further develop her
research.
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