Objective The analysis of the fluorescence of natural fluorophores in the human eye is an important non-invasive diagnosis method. The fluorescence characteristics depend on the natural peculiarities of the fluorophores and their environments and the fluorometric methodologies could only be established on the basis of scientific experiments. The chromophore state and its environment in the human eye are variable and specific. The knowledge on these dependencies of natural fluorophores in the human eye (e.g. retinal) will contribute to a successful diagnosis of the eye. The fluorescence analysis of the retinal layers requires the development of different tasks described as follows: Pure retinal monolayers and mixed retinal / phospholipid monolayers studies at the liquid / gas interface by means of Brewster angle microscopy, surface pressure / area isotherms and UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy and the influence of the aqueous subphase on the retinal aggregation and conformation. Preparation of sandwich structures Lipid / Retinal / Lipid by means of Langermuir- Blodgett technique and mixed retinal / phospholipid bilayer by means of spreading technique. Determination of the Retinal Solvatochromic effect and spectral analysis of the intrinsic effect of retinal orientation, aggregation and conformational changes and the environmental effects on the retinal fluorescence in the sandwich structures. The main aims are the following: structural and morphological investigations of monolayers of pure retinal and its mixtures with lipids at liquid/gas interface and also of the possible effect of different factors (ions, pH, temperature, etc.). Spectroscopic analysis of the influence of the intrinsic and extrensicenvironmental factors on the retinal fluorescence. This proposed project will contribute to the objectives of the existing programme in the study of the natural eye fluorophore. Programme(s) IC-PECO/COPERNICUS - Scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and European non-member countries, 1992- Topic(s) 0201 - CEEC participation in BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH RESEARCH programme Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA EU contribution No data Address Largo Marques de Pompal 3004-517 COIMBRA Portugal See on map Total cost No data Participants (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all College of Sciences Leonardo da Vinci Bulgaria EU contribution No data Address 539 A,Lulin 1359 Sofia See on map Total cost No data College of Sciences Leonardo da Vinci Bulgaria EU contribution No data Address 539 A,Lulin 1359 Sofia See on map Total cost No data
