The Australian population remains highly endangered due to the extreme levels of UV radiation experienced in the Southern hemisphere. This project looks at advanced fabrication and commercialisation of new generation cost-effective sunscreens to develop improved, scientific testing methods for evaluation of safe UV radiation exposure.
Next Generation Sunscreen
The latest information from the Cancer Council estimates that the incidence of malignant melanoma has risen from 26 cases per 100,000 in 1981, to 43 per 100,000 in 2014. Moreover, males in Australia are 20 times more likely to be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer than males in Europe, while females are 10 times more likely.
This project specifically looks at new generation sunscreens that are optimised for Australian extreme exposure conditions and reliable in-vitro test protocols for SPF and critical wavelength. The team is using advanced fabrication techniques and look at introducing a new generation cost-effective sunscreen and development of new scientifically correct testing methods for evaluation of safe UV radiation exposures. Bringing a number of diverse disciplines together, these sunscreens will be designed to combat the extreme UV levels in Australia leading to improved health outcomes.
The team
This project brings a number of diverse disciplines together.
Dr Konstantin Konstantinov, Associate Professor, Australian Institute for Innovative Materials, is the project leader with an extensive expertise in synthesis of nanoceramic materials for health protection and UV filters.
Dr Phil Barker, Honorary Principal Fellow, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, is a world recognised expert in free radical chemistry, UV protective materials and coating and sunscreen products evaluation and testing.
Professor X-F. Huang, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, is a world leading expert in medical research who has multiple connections with medical specialists, hospitals and he will lead the experiments for evaluation of beta glucan in sunscreens and ceramic nanoparticles on normal skin cells and melanoma cells.
Associate Professor Michael Lerch, Head of School, School of Physics. Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, is a leading expert in radiation physics and radiation dosimetry, who will help to develop scientifically correct UV radiation safe dosimetry methods.
Associate Professor Ronald Sluyter, Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, is an expert in inflammation and cell biology including a background in photobiology.
Dr Jennifer Algie, Senior Lecturer, School of Management and Marketing, Faculty of Business and Law, is an expert in marketing and business fields, essential to introduce the new products on the market.
Associate Professor Sheikh Solaiman, School of Law, Faculty of Business and Law, is an expert in corporate regulation for stakeholder protection with a particular interest in public health and safety issues. He teaches both Australian and international business laws which include regulatory aspects of product safety, product marketing and intellectual property.
