Memories reside in specific brain cells. That's the finding of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers, based on its use of optogenetics—a technique that uses low-level light to selectively activate proteins administered to live tissues.

A very narrow fiber light source with brightness variability could enable medical devices to reach into narrow openings to irradiate diseased tissue—and leave healthy tissue untouched.

Genetically modified (GM) crops are increasingly the subject of concern among consumers—and those serving consumer needs.

Using compressed sensing, researchers have boosted the spatial and temporal resolution of super-resolution microscopy techniques.

A new imaging technology called vibrational spectral microscopy reveals subtle changes in breast tissue, promising to predict breast cancer risk and help study ways to prevent it.

A femtosecond laser has enabled researchers at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS; Cambridge, MA) to better understand cell division processes and dispel a widely held incorrect assumption.

An inexpensive, plasma-producing flashlight powered by a 12 V battery and able to kill skin bacteria instantly could help first responders treat victims of emergencies in remote locations.

A new shape of nanoparticle promises to improve medical imaging and chemical sensing applications based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).

A molecule that emits turquoise light more efficiently than anything seen before in living cells promises to improve cell imaging, and enable the study of protein-protein interactions in living cells with unprecedented sensitivity.

Researchers at University College London (UCL) have developed a new photoacoustic scanner based on a Fabry-Perot polymer film ultrasound sensor with a unique image reconstruction algorithm that can noninvasively image tumors at depths up to 10 mm.

Nanoconstructs for in-vivo biomedical applications need to be in the 10–100 nm range for clearance from the kidney and reticuloendothelial system (RES), and for optical imaging and nanodrug delivery (where the nanoparticle dose administered must be determined), they also must be physiologically stable (non-aggregated).

Although Pittcon 2012 (March 11-15; Orlando, FL) was smaller than the last Pittcon event I attended, there were still plenty of offerings for biophotonics watchers.

Building upon an agreement that began in 2008, Abbott Laboratories (Abbott Park, IL) and St. Jude Medical (St. Paul, MN) have formed a multi-year joint initiative that provides mutual U.S. customers access to a portfolio of technologies.

"The fastest focusing lens in the world" can change focal length in sub-microseconds—and can also do beam modulation, which makes it versatile for applications including spectroscopy and imaging.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a new grant review panel for Biomedical Imaging Technology, and named as its chair for the next two years is Brian Pogue, Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH) Professor of Engineering and Dean of Graduate Studies.

Research groups at Laser Zentrum Hannover EV (LZH; Hannover, Germany) are developing laser-based technologies for improved insertion techniques and exact fitting of cochlear implants (CIs) in the inner ear, as well as better quality for residual hearing.

Engineered with off-the-shelf parts, a small, flexible endoscopic medical device with an integrated femtosecond laser has proven able to precisely remove diseased or damaged tissue without touching healthy cells.

Some traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) contain bits of endangered animals, potentially poisonous plants, and unlabeled ingredients, according to a study conducted at Murdoch University (Perth, Western Australia).

Researchers from the Optics Group of the Federal University of São Carlos at the University of São Paulo found that shining LED light on a woman's legs while she exercises on a treadmill could help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and, by the way, banish cellulite.

The PhotoFluor II and PhotoFluor II NIR light sources for quantitative fluorescence imaging pair a self-aligning, 200 W metal-halide lamp with a sputtered, infrared (IR)-blocking filter to enable transmission in the UV and NIR, respectively.

With Apple iPhones and other smartphones now making up nearly half (47.9%) of all cell-phone subscribers as of February 2012, according to a Nielsen report, applications—or apps—for these devices in any category imaginable continue to crop up everywhere to make subscribers' lives easier.