University of Bradford
About the Project
The application of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), also recognised as photobiomodulation, uses low-level lasers or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to modulate cellular function. Widely acknowledged in regenerative medicine and dentistry, LLLT’s precise effects remain uncertain due to the array of laser types, exposure variations, cell types, and study designs (Amid et al., 2014). LLLTs in general have been effectively utilised for the prevention and treatment of diseases in soft oral and bone tissues, particularly those arising in the oral cavity due to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in oncology. Nevertheless, there is ongoing debate regarding whether these lasers may cause molecular side effects, particularly on DNA (da Fonseca Iwahara et al., 2019). The therapeutic application of photobiomodulation (PBM) involving non-ionizing radiations from low-power lasers and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) has been widely studied for its molecular, cellular, and systemic effects. Previous experimental data has indicated that PBM may influence the base excision repair (BER) pathway, which plays a crucial role in DNA damage repair. Dysfunction of BER has been linked to tumorigenesis, including the development of breast cancer. However, the impact of PBM on cancer cells remains a topic of debate.
In a study aimed to investigate the effects of low-power red laser (658 nm) and blue LED (470 nm) on the mRNA levels of BER genes in human breast cancer cells, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were subjected to irradiation with a low-power red laser (69 J cm-2, 0.77 W cm-2) and blue LED (482 J cm-2, 5.35 W cm-2), individually and in combination. Subsequently, the relative mRNA levels of APTX, PolB, and PCNA genes were evaluated using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The findings indicate that exposure to low-power red laser and blue LED led to a reduction in the mRNA levels of APTX, PolB, and PCNA genes in human breast cancer cells (Farias et al., 2024). This suggests a potential modulatory role of PBM in the BER pathway of cancer cells, offering prospects for further exploration of PBM as a therapeutic intervention for breast cancer)
In this project, our aim is to investigate how the integration of novel miRNAs 1 and 2, discovered from exosomes derived from Cord Blood Stem cells, with low-level laser therapy can enhance the anticancer/cytotoxic properties of our innovative treatment.
How to apply
Formal applications can be made via the University of Bradford web site. Applicants should create a user account, select ‘Full-time PhD in Biomedical Science’ as the course, and supply the project title on the ‘Research proposal’ tab.
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