In October 2013, the ISLA Research Group has been founded by two graduates of the Master´s Programme „International Development Studies“ – Robert Weber, Lauenförde, and Martin Junggebauer, Braunschweig. It is recognized as a public charity and constitutes a subsidiary of the ISLA. It´s goal is to develop new treatment options for tropical diseases such as Malaria or Tuberculosis.

Treatments that aim to kill pathogens of tropical diseases can be conducted analogous to treatments that are already used in tumor therapy. For each disease, specific photosensitizers have to be identified. Afterwards, wavelengths and colour spectrums of the applicated light source need to be adjusted to the photosensitizer.

The identification of pathogen specific photosensitizers and optimal dosage ranges as well as of appropriate light sources is one of the major tasks that are pursued right now. In this context, pathogen specific photosensitizers for all major tropical diseases are known for years.

What inhibited the practical application so far?

Until recently, the procedure could only be performed in vitro because it wasn’t possible to activate the substance within the body.

Only since a couple of years, the new technology of intravenous lasertherapy facilitates the activation of photosensitizers within the body. The way to practically treat Malaria and other tropical diseases is thereby paved.

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