Page 28 - The Indian Digital Edition September-October 2020

SPIDER SILK CIARÁN CONWAY BAGS

PROTEINS TO FORCE TITLE
IMPROVE CLS CooperVision has named Ciarán Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.’

Conway, a final year student of Commenting on the award
Using biotechnologically optometry at Dublin University, win, Mr Conway said: “The FORCE
produced spider silk proteins, as the UK & Ireland winner of is an amazing opportunity for
researchers from the University of the FORCE Student of the Year students and I’m very grateful to
Bayreuth have developed a new competition 2020. CooperVision for the chance to take
biomaterial that is able to reduce the Now in its eighth year, the part. We’re fortunate to have one
risk of infection while facilitating the Future Ocular Research Creativity of the industry’s leading companies
healing processes. Event (FORCE) annual competition there to support us in our optical
pitches students from universities journey and give us confidence for
The research team led by Prof and colleges across Europe against the future.”
Dr Thomas Scheibel has succeeded each other to be named Student of
in combining these material the Year. Students participating in Pauline Bradford, CooperVision’s
properties which are highly relevant the competition are required to professional services consultant
to biomedicine. According to the carry out six-to-eight clinical and panel judge, said: “With such
researchers the nanostructured projects in the field of anterior a diverse range of projects to choose
materials that are based on spider eye or contact lenses. The aim is from it was extremely tough to pick
silk proteins prevent colonisation to encourage students to develop just one winner, however the
judging panel felt Ciarán had taken
by bacteria and fungi, but at the their professional knowledge a lot of time to understand the
same time proactively assist in the and contacts. potential impact on contact lens
regeneration of human tissue and wear and where further research
The research projects
are therefore considered to be ideal are delivered to a panel of should be done. Congratulations to
for implants, wound dressings, CooperVision’s Professional Services him once again.”
prostheses, contact lenses, and other Consultants and judged on content,
everyday aids. creativity and delivery style. The European FORCE Final has

“Our investigations to date have Mr Conway was awarded the been cancelled for 2020 due to the
ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Mr
led to a finding that is absolutely title for his project on ‘The effectivity Conway will instead attend the 2021
ground-breaking for future of the Topcon Eye-Light in treating event in Budapest as a guest.
research work. In particular, the
microbe-repellent properties of the BCLA APPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT
biomaterials we have developed
are not based on toxic, i.e., not
cell-destroying, effects. The decisive Visioncare Research as a research
factor rather lies in structures at optometrist. He has a special
the nanometre level, which make interest in myopia management
the spider silk surfaces microbe- and multifocal contact lens fitting
and due to his interest in contact
repellent. They make it impossible lenses, he was awarded a fellowship
for pathogens to attach themselves The British Contact Lens with the BCLA.
to these surfaces, explains Prof. Dr. Association (BCLA) has elected
Thomas Scheibel, who is the Chair Indie Grewal as its new president. Speaking of his appointment,
of Biomaterials at the University of Mr Grewal, owner and optometrist Mr Grewal said: “It’s an honour for
Bayreuth.” at Leightons St Albans, with more me to now serve as president of
than 30 years’ experience in the the BCLA. I’m looking forward to
In the study printed in “Materials working with the Council and our
Today”, the team from the University optical industry to his credit, takes sponsors to deliver class-leading
over from the current president,
of Bayreuth worked together with Jonathon Bench. research and education to help eye
research partners at Saarland care practitioners improve the lives
University and Gießen University. Previously Mr Grewal worked with of their patients.”

| SEPT-OCT 2020 | 24 CONTACT LENS NEWS

11/03/2020 12:33
Sept-Oct 2020 SK News.indd 1
Sept-Oct 2020 SK News.indd 1 11/03/2020 12:33