Octopus inspires novel screening device for AMD

{{quote-A:R-W:450-I:2-Q:The innovation arose from research that looked at the ability of octopi, cuttlefish and coral reef fish to see polarised light. -WHO:Dr Shelby Tple, Innovator of the Year 2017 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, UK}}The fishy-sounding tale saw Dr Shelby Tple from the University of Bristol use the same bio-polarisation abilities common in octopi and other sea creatures to develop a screening device that can detect age-related macular degeneration (AMD).The innovation arose from research that looked at the ability of octopi, cuttlefish and coral reef fish to see polarised light – an aspect of light that humans aren’t typically aware they can see.During his study, Tple invented a series of unique devices to display polarised light to animals, and in doing so, realised he could also see a pattern.“What I was seeing was an effect known as Haidinger’s brushes, which happens within the eye when people perceive polarised light. The ability to see this phenomenon is linked to an aspect of eye health and can be an early indicator of disease,” Tple said.{{image3-a:l-w:350}}“It became clear that the tools I had developed for octopi and cuttlefish could be the foundation for a novel ophthalmic device that could rapidly screen people for susceptibility to AMD.”The discovery saw Tple earn the title of Innovator of the Year 2017 from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), while he has also received £500,000 (AU$850,400) in funding from Innovate UK to jumpstart the project.