Dr. Shelby Temple, a researcher at the University of Bristol's School of Biological Sciences, has been named the 2017 Innovator of the Year for developing a device that can rapidly screen people at increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The device is reportedly based on Temple's research at Bristol looking at the ability of octopi, cuttlefish and coral reef fish to see polarized light. Temple reportedly developed a series of devices to display polarized light to animals, and realized he could see a pattern as well. Known as Haidinger’s brushes, according to Temple the ability to see this phenomenon is linked to an aspect of eye health and can be an early indicator of disease, making him realize he had the foundation for a novel ophthalmic device that could rapidly screen people for susceptibility to AMD.
In 2016, Temple reportedly received £500,000 in funding from Innovate UK, which launched Azul Optics Ltd. — a Bristol-based start-up that is commercializing the device.
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Source: University of Bristol