Bristol scientist named Innovator of the Year for sight-saving device

BBSRC Innovator of the Year Dr Shelby Temple BBSRC

Innovator of the Year 2017 Award BBSRC

Dr Shelby Temple conducting research at the Great Barrier Reef Dr Shelby Temple

Press release issued: 20 June 2017

Dr Shelby Temple, from the University of Bristol’s School of Biological Sciences, has been named Innovator of the Year 2017 for his ground-breaking work into polarisation and macular degeneration.

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) award recognises Dr Temple’s work in developing a device that can rapidly screen people at increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the worldwide leading cause of incurable blindness in people over 55.

The innovation arose from BBSRC-funded research carried out at the University of Bristol, which looked at the ability of octopuses, cuttlefish and coral reef fish to see polarised light - an aspect of light that humans aren’t typically aware they can see. Dr Temple invented a series of unique devices to display polarised light to animals, and in doing so, realised he could see a pattern as well.

“What I was seeing was an effect known as Haidinger’s brushes, which happens within the eye when people perceive polarised light. The ability to see this phenomenon is linked to an aspect of eye health and can be an early indicator of disease.

“It became clear that the tools I had developed for octopuses and cuttlefish could be the foundation for a novel ophthalmic device that could rapidly screen people for susceptibility to AMD,” said Dr Temple.

This award acknowledges the important impact this device could have in preventing sight-loss worldwide. In the UK alone, AMD affects more than 600,000 people and is estimated to cost the healthcare system £1.6 billion annually.

The University of Bristol’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, said:

“It’s very exciting to see University of Bristol research into something as niche as how octopuses view the world, lead to a screening tool for the biggest cause of sight loss among humans worldwide. The University is very proud of its achievements in research impact and it is fantastic that Dr Temple’s achievements have been recognised with such a prestigious award.”

Dr Karen Lewis, interim Executive Director, Innovation and Skills, BBSRC, said:

“The BBSRC Innovator of the Year competition recognises and rewards BBSRC-funded scientists that have identified and taken an active part in realising the impact from their research. Dr Temple’s technology has the potential to make a significant difference to people’s lives, the journey that Dr Temple is taking to realise this opportunity from very fundamental research epitomises the spirit of the competition. This was recognised by the Panel in awarding the BBSRC Innovator of the Year to Dr Temple.”

As well as being named Innovator of the Year 2017, Dr Temple also received the award in the Commercial Impact category.

In 2016, Dr Temple received £500,000 in funding from Innovate UK, which launched Azul Optics Ltd, the Bristol-based start-up that is commercialising the device. Azul Optics has since secured an additional £310,000 in private investment.

Further information

26 June- 2 July is Macular Week: https://www.macularsociety.org/macularweek

Azul Optics is a Bristol-based start-up developing a novel ophthalmic device based on Dr Temple’s unique technology.

Dr Temple received support from the University of Bristol; SETSquared, through the r2i Researcher to Innovator and ICURe Innovation-to-Commercialisation programmes; the BBSRC and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, through a year-long Enterprise Fellowship; and the Enterprise Business School.

The BBSRC Innovator of the Year competition is in its ninth year. It was established to recognise the impact that bioscience research and innovation has on lives, society and the economy.
The core technology in Azul Optics’ device is underpinned by research carried out by Dr Temple and supported by a BBSRC responsive grant awarded to Dr Nick Roberts, Reader in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Bristol.

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) affects 600,000 people in the UK accounting for almost 50% of all registered blind people. It leaves sufferers unable to read, drive and see the faces of their loved ones. The social costs associated with AMD are approximately £1.6 billion. AMD is a progressive condition for which there is no cure. The detection of AMD relies on the early stages of the condition being identified during regular check-ups at the opticians. It is common for the condition to develop to an advanced state before it is detected.

Lifestyle changes, such as eating more brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, quitting smoking and wearing protective eyewear, can help reduce the chances of going blind later in life.