# OPTICS AND PHOTOTOXICITY IN HUMAN SKIN

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 1989 · $181,122

## Abstract

The proposed research is a continuation and extension of basic and
applied studies of optical properties and radiation transfer in tissues,
and of associated selective tissue injury mechanisms inducible by
photons.  Realistic models of tissue optics have been developed and will
be tested and applied to study optical dosimetry in a variety of organs
of photomedical interest.  A library of tissue optical properties over
the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectral ranges will be compiled
from the several experimental methods we have developed.  The radiative
transport theory underlying laser energy propagation will be incorporated
in both finite-element and Monte Carlo models which allow treatment of
heterogeneous tissues.  New techniques for histochemical mapping of
optical radiation and of thermal injury will be developed and used to
corroborate theoretical models.  This will lead to better understanding
and manipulation of phototoxicity in vivo.

New optical diagnostic techniques will also be developed including pulsed
infrared radiometry for noninvasive measurement of absorption spectra in
tissues and for detection of buried layers in tissues such as epithelial
organs.  An endoscopically useful system will be developed.  Laser-
induced fluorescence will be used to detect uptake of drugs in skin and
tumors in tissue.  Newly developed methods for producing monoclonal
antibody-chromophore conjugates will be examined for localization of
experimental tumor cell types in vivo in animal models.

Photobiological injury and its repair will be studied for a unique
optical pulse-dependent tissue effect known as selective
photothermolysis, in which exquisitely localized damage is produced to
cellular and subcellular targets.  This interaction was described in our
previous work and has already become a useful treatment for vascular
malformations.  Selective microvascular hemostasis will be studied and
optimized.  Selective photothermolysis of melanosomes, and studies of
pigment cell damage mechanisms and repair in humans will be conducted.
This pigment cell-specific effect leads to selective skin depigmentation,
may be therapeutically useful in dermatology, and will be of basic
interest in pigment cell biology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3155304
- **Project number:** 2R01AR025395-09A1
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FLJ7DQKLL226
- **Principal Investigator:** John A. Parrish
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $181,122
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1979-07-01 → 1994-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3155304

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3155304, OPTICS AND PHOTOTOXICITY IN HUMAN SKIN (2R01AR025395-09A1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3155304. Licensed CC0.

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