Rhodes University (RU) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are collaborating in a bid to take promising cancer treatment research to preclinical tests.

The two organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding outlining the scope and conditions of their research collaboration over the next two years.

RU has a track record of developing photosensitive drugs for photodynamic therapy and the CSIR is contributing its growing skills and facilities for preclinical testing of novel medical laser applications.

Department of Science and Technology and National Research Foundation Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Nanotechnology, Professor Tebello Nyokong, at Rhodes's Department of Chemistry, is developing her research into light-sensitive drugs and ultimately hopes to introduce advanced cancer-fighting drugs.

In photodynamic therapy, a photosensitive drug is administered to a cancer patient. The photosensitiser gathers in the cancerous tissue and when irradiated with light of a specific wavelength, it generates toxic radicals that kill the surrounding cancerous tissue.

Nyokong comments, "Our research team at the Department of Chemistry, in collaboration with the CSIR, is eager to start preclinical testing of molecules that we hope will on the one hand validate our belief that we have developed something immensely promising, and on the other hand give us the opportunity to further refine and develop a treatment that could hold the key to relief for countless cancer patients. We are excited about this development and pleased to be working with the CSIR National Laser Centre," she says.

Biophotonics research group leader at the CSIR Dr Jan Dam, says this formal collaboration agreement is just what is needed to progress promising research from laboratory phase to preclinical tests.

"One of the benefits we bring to the table is a facility where synthetic, three-dimensional tissue models, based on human cell samples, are manufactured. These artificial, but living tissue models, resemble real human tissue very well and various lesions, for example cancer, can be induced into the tissue models. It is a convenient, cost-effective and risk-free environment for preclinical testing where novel medical laser applications can be truly increased," says Dam.

Another example of what scientists can achieve in the new facility is mathematical modelling and computer simulations of how light spreads in human tissue. "We can also determine the absorption and scattering properties of human tissue and body fluids," explains Dam. "We are hugely encouraged by this development. The field of biomedical optics is highly multidisciplinary. To succeed and to get to research breakthroughs, collaboration is key. We are optimistic that this agreement will pave the way for a breakthrough that could ultimately see a highly effective, South African-developed treatment for those affected by cancer," he says.