National University of Singapore (NUS) Induces Photosynthesis in Mice to Treat Dry Eye Disease

Exam-focused facts from the 2 June 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

A research team at the National University of Singapore (NUS), led by Xin Kuoran, successfully induced photosynthesis in the eyes of mice.
The researchers developed particles named LEAF, measuring approximately 400 nm, which were derived from thylakoidgrana extracted from spinach chloroplasts.
When exposed to visible light, LEAF produces adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH).
In tests using tear samples from dry eye patients, LEAF increased NADPH by approximately 20 times and reduced hydrogen peroxide by more than 95%.
Preclinical trials on mice showed that LEAF eye drops under indoor ambient light restored corneal health within 5 days, outperforming the existing drug Restasys.