July's Two ASP Webinars

"UVB radiation-induced skin carcinogenesis: Impact of AHR signaling and UVA radiation"

If you're interested in molecular photobiology, the skin exposome, and skin cancer prevention, please come and join this webinar. In the first part of my presentation, I’ll introduce the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, as a mediator of the UVB stress response in epidermal keratinocytes. Specifically, I’ll discuss how both AHR antagonism and AHR activation my small molecular weight compounds affects DNA repair, apoptosis and skin photocarcinogenesis. These aspects are particularly relevant with regard to the safety of Tapinarof, an AHR agonist that has been recently approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. In the second part, I’ll focus on the (AHR-independent) impact of low-dose UVA radiation on UVB radiation-induced DNA damage and apoptosis using different irradiation protocols, i.e. sequential and simultaneous. A corresponding photocarcinogenesis study on mice revealed that non-carcinogenic low doses of UVA radiation already amplify UVB-induced skin cancer formation, a finding which emphasizes the relevance of UVA filters for proper photoprotection.

"How to Configure Your Spectrometer To Study Photodynamic Therapy"

Explore the powerful role of spectroscopy in understanding Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), a light-activated treatment for some cancer and skin conditions. PDT's efficacy hinges on photosensitisers (PSs) generating reactive singlet oxygen to destroy target cells. This session will delve into how spectroscopic methods, specifically transient absorption and photoluminescence, provide critical insights into these underlying photochemical processes, from photosensitiser triplet states to singlet oxygen generation. We will include a demonstration of sample measurements on the Edinburgh Instruments LP980 Transient Absorption Spectrometer, showcasing its capabilities for PDT research. Discover how Edinburgh Instruments' spectrometers enable deeper insights into this vital therapeutic process.