LASERS AID IN RESEARCH ON DISEASES - Research on disease uses high-intensity lasers to generate singlet oxygen

Sep 29, 2026

University of Georgia scientists use high-intensity lasers to enable fundamental research into disease-related biological processes, focusing on generating singlet (or delta) oxygen as a practical tool. Researchers describe laser-based production of singlet oxygen in metal cylinders, link it to bilirubin destruction via oxidation, and assess whether clinical fluorescent phototherapy induces sufficient singlet oxygen. Related studies examine how the enzyme superoxide dismutase retards singlet oxygen conversion and may regulate hyperactive molecules, while broader effects on cellular metabolism and vitamin breakdown are discussed.

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LASERS AID IN RESEARCH ON DISEASES

Laser-enabled generation of singlet oxygen

Singlet oxygen, bilirubin oxidation, and phototherapy

Role of superoxide dismutase in singlet oxygen reactions

0ctober 1973Volume 92,Number 4 # LASERS AID IN RESEARCH ON DISEASES University of Georgia scientists are using high intensity lasersto conduct fundamental research that is opening new doors topractical understanding of disease and other health relatedproblems. Dr.John W.Lee,associate professor of biochemistry,saidlasers are being used for the first time as a practical too1to generate singlet,or delta,oxygen. "Singlet oxygen is a hyperactive cousin of the ordinary oxygenmolecules which circulate in the air,"said Lee."Somescientific evidence indicates that important biologicalprocesses create singlet oxygen out of common oxygen,andthis is a process vital to the way the body uses oxygen andfights disease." Yet,he added,very little previous research on this remarkablesubstance has been possible because of the difficulty ofisolating the singlet oxygen reaction in a clinical setting·Lee and Dr.Ian Matheson,another university biochemist,turned to the laser,which Lee said has untapped potentialin disease research,for a solution to this dilema. "Light induces many chemical and physical reactions,"saidLee."Anyone who takes a picture with a camera knows that.We introduce regular oxygen into a metal cylinder underhigh compression,and shot an infrared laser beam throughit to see what would happen.The reaction was a1mostinstantaneous.We produced large quantities of singletoxygen without biproducts or chemical catalysts." "One out of 100 babies contract this disease,"said Curry. "It occasionally can lead to cerabral palsy or mental retardation.The most effective treatment is exposing the baby to fluorescentlight for a number of days.Nobody is certain why this works,but some doctors and scientists speculate that the light Copyright 1973,by Industrial Research,222 S.Riverside Plaza,Chicago,I11.60606.Reproduction prohibited without permission. induces singlet oxygen molecules in the blood stream."Withthe help of Lee's laser equipment,Curry conducted researchthat determined that creation of singlet oxygen destroysthe bilirubin through oxidation.However,the mildfluorescent phototherapy that infected newborns undergoprobably doesn't induce enough singlet oxygen to effectsignificantly the bilirubin,Curry concluded. "This is a case,"he said,"where the treatment was rightbut the theory was wrong."In related research,Dr.MancyMatheson and graduate student Ron Etheridge are studyingthe effect of a blood enzyme,superoxide dismutase,onsinglet oxygen. Introducing the enzyme to the laser-induced oxygen reactionsignificantly retards the conversion process."Ordinarily,it takes only 10 sec for the singlet oxygen to destroybilirubin,but the decomposition stops dead when the enzymeis added,"said Lee. The researchers believe that superoxide dismutase plays animportant role in the cellular metabolism of al1 living thingsby controlling the hyperactive singlet molecules so theydo their work without detroying the activities of the livingcel1 in the process. "Singlet oxygen has been found important in many other lifereaction,"said Lee,"Some scientists say that it is theweapon the white cells use to kil1 bacteria in the bloodstream,and may also play an important role in the breakdown andabsorption of certain vitamins and fatty acids.The lungtissue must convert regular oxygen to a more active moleculesimply to breath air. Lee said laser have given scientists a practica1,uncomplicatedway to duplicate a vital biological process."We should nowbe able to unrave1,under laboratory conditions,a lot ofvery complex physiological mysteries,"he concluded.900 MHZ TUBE AND CAVITY PRODUCE OVER 150 WA new "Cermolox"tube and cavity combination that producesover 150 W of power in the UHF frequency spectrum isavailable from RCA Electronic Components. The tube is designated RCA A2965A and the cavity RCA Y1261—this combination has been designed specifically for 150-Wbase station transmitters. This UHF power amplifier tube wil1 deliver power in excessof 150

FAQs

What is the main research goal of the University of Georgia scientists?

To use high-intensity lasers to study biological processes involved in diseases by generating singlet oxygen in controlled research settings.

How is singlet oxygen produced in the described experiments?

Regular oxygen is introduced into a metal cylinder under high compression, then an infrared laser beam is shot through to trigger an almost instantaneous reaction producing large quantities without byproducts.

What did the researchers conclude about fluorescent phototherapy for newborns?

They found that creating singlet oxygen destroys bilirubin, but the mild fluorescent phototherapy likely does not induce enough singlet oxygen to significantly affect bilirubin, leading them to describe the situation as “treatment was right but the theory was wrong.”

How does superoxide dismutase affect singlet oxygen reactions?

Introducing the enzyme into the laser-induced oxygen reactions significantly retards the conversion process, stopping decomposition of singlet oxygen where otherwise it would destroy bilirubin in about 10 seconds.

Sep 29, 2026

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