Researchers at Nottingham University have developed a noninvasive Raman microspectroscopy (RMS) technique that phenotypically identifies live cardiomyocyte cells within highly heterogeneous cell populations with greater than 96% sensitivity and specificity.

In efforts to bring faster, cheaper and more sensitive disease detection and DNA identification that can be done at the point-of-care, QuantuMDx has signed an exclusive license agreement with advanced materials architect Nanosys for several patents and patent applications related to the use of nanostructures for biosensors.

This year's Frontiers in Optics (FiO) 2011, currently being held in San Jose, CA, from October 16–20, is highlighting recent advances in the biophotonics arena.

Rigaku Americas Corporation has acquired handheld Raman spectroscopy technology from BaySpec, which targets chemical identification and composition analyzers for medical diagnostics, counterfeit drug detection and food contaminant detection, among many other applications.

An interdisciplinary research team at the University of Arizona conducted a clinical study using a DNA sequencing-based technology to identify pathogens causing bloodstream infections—a technique that could slash healthcare costs and save more lives.

Biophotonics has posed itself as one of the fastest growing fields of interest. To meet this demand, the Photonex 2011 show, to be held October 18–19, 2011, in Coventry, England, will cover sensing, analytical techniques and photonics in healthcare.

Seeking a way to provide a cheaper medical imaging device using materials that cost as much as a typical smartphone app, researchers from the University of California, Davis have transformed an iPhone into a device able to perform detailed microscopy and spectroscopy.

The H11451, H11459 and H11460 series linear array photomultiplier tube (PMT) modules from Hamamatsu offer high cathode sensitivity, high gain, and high-speed response for biomedical fluorescence applications, spectroscopy, environmental monitoring, and laser scanning detection.

Piezo and nanopositioning technology supplier PI (Physik Instrumente) has acquired a majority share of micropositioning/motion control specialist miCos GmbH.

The first Britton Chance Biomedical Optics Award—which honors optical imaging researcher Britton Chance, who passed away in November 2010 at the age of 97—will be presented at the upcoming SPIE Photonics West in 2012. Deadline for award nominations is October 1, 2011.

Scientists at Stanford University have developed a miniaturized, integrated fluorescence microscope that weighs just 1.9 g, which can be carried around on the head of a freely moving adult mouse.

PerkinElmer, Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire molecular imaging and detection solutions provider Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. for $10.50 per share, for a total net purchase price of approximately $600 million in cash.

Researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and the University of Rome Tor Vergata have developed sensors made from custom DNA molecules, which can quickly detect a broad class of proteins called transcription factors.

Research done by Mark Towler, a professor of Biomedical Materials Engineering Science at the Inamori School of Engineering at Alfred University (Alfred, NY), can predict fracture risk due to bone loss associated with osteoporosis using a toenail clipping, determining risk without subjecting the patient to an X-ray or ultrasound scan.