Ce travail est basé sur l'intuition que seul de nouveaux systèmes biomimétiques permettant un contrôle de la localisation spatiale des phénomènes d’oxydation peuvent conduire à une compréhension profonde de l’oxydation des lipides dans les cellules eucaryotes. Nous avons donc développé un nouveau type de molécule photosensible pouvant être ancré dans des Vésicules Géantes Unilamellaires (GUVs). Nous montrons dans cette étude que, pour le cas particulier de l’hydroperoxydation, contrôler la distribution spatiale permet une sélection des réactions d’oxydation, ce qui nécessite également une adaptation des stratégies de traitement antioxydant. En association avec de nouvelles techniques pour la quantification des événements d’oxydation, ces nouveaux modèles fournissent un scénario complet des mécanismes d’hydroperoxydation, de la production des espèces réactives (1O2) aux modifications physiques et chimiques induites dans les bicouches auto-assemblées. Nous montrons que les GUVs sont capables de survivre lorsque tous les lipides sont hydroperoxydés, confirmant que l’intégrité de la membrane est conservée dans ces conditions d’oxydation. Notre expérience permet de mesurer avec une bonne précision : l’augmentation d’aire produite sous hydroperoxydation, les modifications des propriétés mécaniques de la membrane, ainsi que l’efficacité d’hydroperoxydation. Pour une compréhension approfondie, les modifications moléculaires sous oxydation ont été étudiées à l’interface eau-air en utilisant des monocouches de lipides. / Our contribution to research in the area of lipid oxidation in eukariotic cells is based on the central intuition that progress can only be achieved in new biomimetic membrane systems where the spatial localization of the oxidation events might be controlled and monitored. Accordingly, we have developed new photosensitizer agents that can be anchored in Giant Unilamelar Vesicles (GUVs). It is important to stress that progress in the control of the spatial distribution of oxidation allows for a selection of the oxidation pathways, as we show in this study for the particular case of hydroperoxidation, and therefore constrains anti-oxidant strategies. In association with new tools for the quantification of the oxidation events, these new models have provided a complete scenario for the hydroperoxidation mechanisms, from the production of the oxidant species (1O2) to the final chemical and physical modifications induced on the self-assembled bilayers. We report that GUVsare able to survive full hydroperoxidation, showing that membrane integrity can be preserved under these oxidation conditions. Our experimental setup allows to measure the relative area increase produced upon peroxidation, the associated change in mechanical properties of the membrane and also the hydroperoxidation efficiency, all of them with good precisions. Further insights into the molecular modifications under oxidation have been studied at the air –water interface, using lipid monolayers.

The study reports on the development of a photo therapy tool for educational psychologists within the South African context. A literature study explores the nature, advantages, characteristics and the application of photo therapy with clients in a therapeutic setting. The developmental intervention research design guided the practical development of an electronic photo therapy tool that can be applied by educational psychologists in a therapy setting with clients. The empirical research is qualitative in nature, as the effectiveness of the newly developed photo therapy tool is evaluated by emerging adults and educational psychologists as an intervention strategy. In order to accomplish this purpose, emerging adults, as well as educational psychologists shared their perceptions of the newly developed photo therapy tool. Thus the usefulness of the photo therapy tool was investigated as an intervention approach. Qualitative data generation techniques, focus group interviews and photographs were utilised. The research results show that the newly developed electronic photo therapy tool has the potential, as a modern therapeutic tool, to be used by educational psychologists as an intervention strategy. The developmental intervention research design is a continuous process, and as the life world is forever changing, improvements to the photo therapy tool can always be added according to new suggestions and ideas. The findings allow theorisation about the significance of the photo therapy tool. The study further determines that there is definite potential in the electronically created photo therapy tool, as both the young adults and the educational psychologists perceived the photo therapy tool as a possible and valuable tool in the therapeutic intervention process. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Educational Psychology)