Examination of unique tear lipids and their role in the tear film's structure and function.

泪膜脂质层覆盖在眼睛上，稳定泪液并防止其蒸发。但其结构、功能和组成尚未完全阐明。该项目的目的是充分表征这一层中独特的脂质，即长链ω -羟基脂肪酸（在身体其他部位没有发现），并确定它们在其结构和功能中的作用。该项目意义重大，因为其独特的技能组合，包括合成化学、质谱、脂质组学、生物化学、生物物理学，旨在导致对这一层的理解发生重大转变。

The tear film lipid layer covers the eye, stabilises the tears and prevents their evaporation. Yet its structure, function and composition are yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of this project is to fully characterise the unique lipids in this layer, the long-chain omega-hydroxy fatty acids (not found elsewhere in the body), and to determine their role in its structure and function. The project is significant because the unique combination of skills including synthetic chemistry, mass spectrometry, lipidomics, biochemistry, biophysics which aim to result in a major shift in the understanding of this layer.