Biomedical Science & Medical Specialties

Biomedical science and medical specialties that rely heavily on biophotonics and optics include cell biology, cancer research and oncology, cardiology, neuroscience, dermatology, dentistry, genomics and proteomics, and molecular biology. Applications run the gamut from imaging of all kinds to disease diagnosis, noninvasive monitoring, and light-based therapy.

Biomedical Science & Medical Specialties Articles

Fast-Track Action Committee to guide National Photonics Initiative

06/19/2013

Washington, DC--In early May, even before the official launch of the National Photonics Initiative, the White House established a 120-day Fast-Track Action Committee on Optics and Photonics (FTAC-OP).

New lab working to develop new OCT technologies for retinal therapies

06/19/2013

The new Christian Doppler Ophthalmic Image Analysis (OPTIMA) laboratory at the Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Vienna) in Austria is developing new optical coherence tomography (OCT) technologies and computer programs to produce optimal diagnosis and, for the first time, completely individual treatment plans.

Photo-switchable molecules could lead to drugs controlled by light

06/18/2013

Researchers at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine and the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, both in Spain, have developed photo-switchable molecules to control protein-protein interactions in a remote and noninvasive manner.

UK ophthalmic center demos 3D visualization technology during laser cataract surgery

06/17/2013

TrueVision 3D Surgical collaborated with eye surgeon Sheraz M. Daya, MD, FACP, FACS, FRCS(Ed), FRCOphth, founder of the Centre for Sight in England, to deliver a live educational event featuring multiple advanced technologies.

New fluorescent protein from eel revolutionizes clinical biomarker

06/13/2013

Researchers from the RIKEN Brain Science Institute have discovered that Unagi, a Japanese freshwater eel, harbors a fluorescent protein that could serve as the basis for a new clinical test for bilirubin, a critical indicator of human liver function, hemolysis, and jaundice.

$3M ABLADE project to look at lasers for bladder cancer treatment

06/11/2013

Recognizing that bladder cancer is one one of the hardest cancers to diagnose and treat, a new European-wide project will examine whether advanced laser techniques can be used to both detect and treat the disease.

Laser-based, minimally invasive brain surgery for epilepsy shows promise

06/07/2013

A new, minimally invasive laser tool for epilepsy surgery from Visualase offers a quicker recuperation time for patients than major surgery, say researchers at the Mayo Clinic.

Raman spectroscopy algorithm could better detect breast cancer

06/06/2013

A single-step Raman spectroscopy algorithm developed by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has the potential to simultaneously detect microcalcifications and enable diagnosis of the associated breast lesions with high precision.

MICROSCOPY: Three-photon microscopy maps the brain

06/06/2013

Researchers at Cornell University are turning to the combination of longer-wavelength excitation and three-photon microscopy to reduce background scattering for improved deep-tissue imaging.

Canon biomedical imaging laboratory opens in Massachusetts

06/05/2013

Canon USA opened its Healthcare Optics Research Laboratory in Cambridge, MA, which will be home to employees dedicated to developing biomedical optical imaging and medical robotics technologies.

Optical focus module from New Scale powers eSight assistive vision technology

05/31/2013

Victor, NY--The miniature M3-F optical focus module from New Scale Technologies is a key component in eSight eyewear from eSight Corporation that assists the visually impaired.

Researchers to present optical techniques for counting single viruses outside the lab

05/30/2013

Two separate teams of researchers have developed new optical methods for determining the exact viral load of a sample by counting individual virus particles.

Bioptigen intros first 1 µm OCT system for ophthalmic research

05/28/2013

Bioptigen, working with NKT Photonics, has introduced 1 µm axial resolution imaging to its line of Envisu spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems.

Theralase launches therapeutic laser center in Toronto

05/28/2013

Toronto, ON, Canada--Theralase Technologies launched its new head office and multidisciplinary therapeutic laser center in the heart of the Beach District of Toronto, ON, Canada to treat pain and inflammation.

3D laser-printed airway saves baby's life

05/27/2013

An infant with a life-threatening respiratory condition is breathing better one year after a custom-designed 3D laser-printed airway was inserted into his chest.


Nanosystem "forest" from Berkeley Lab achieves artificial photosynthesis

05/23/2013

Berkeley, CA--Berkeley Lab scientists reported the first fully integrated nanosystem for artificial photosynthesis--a breakthrough much welcomed considering that atmospheric carbon dioxide is at its highest levels in at least three million years.

CoolLED names Peter Call as field sales manager

05/23/2013

Light-emitting diode (LED) technology manufacturer CoolLED recently named Peter Call as field sales manager.

OCT imaging to evaluate stent for treating coronary artery bifurcation lesions

05/23/2013

Tryton Medical, which develops stents for treating coronary artery bifurcation lesions, will begin a clinical trial using the company's Tryton Side Branch Stent, with evaluation by intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging technology.

Two-photon optogenetic tool promising for brain mapping

05/17/2013

A researcher at the University of Texas at Arlington has developed a fiber-optic, two-photon optogenetic stimulator that could help scientists map and track the interactions between neurons inside different areas of the brain.

Silicon/CNT substrate from NASA JPL improves photocatalytic hydrogen production

05/16/2013

Pasadena, CA--NASA JPL is developing a device for hydrogen gas production based on water-splitting redox reactions facilitated by catalysts stacked on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown on silicon substrates.