Biophotonics Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering
Preface
This book is the brainchild of the fourth Optoelectronic and Photonic Winter
School on “Biophotonics” which took place from 25th February 2007 to 3rd
March 2007 in Sardagna, a small village on the mountains around Trento
in Italy. This school, held every two years, have been promoted to trace the
very fast developing technologies and the tremendous progress in photonics
which have occurred and will occur in the near future. It is a common view
that its current explosive development will lead to deep paradigm shifts in
the near future. Identifying the plausible scenario for the future evolution of
photonics presents an opportunity for constructive actions and scouting killer
technologies.
This book gathers together distinguished authors to give an overview of the
latest developments in biophotonics. Optical technologies have demonstrated
a long tradition in the fields of life science and health care. The microscope
has opened for us a view into the world of cells and bacteria and has evolved
into a modern powerful tool for basic biological research on cell processes.
Modern surgical microscopes have become key tools in neurosurgery, as well
as in ophthalmology and surgery. Image-guided systems make use of computer
tomography and MRI data in navigated surgery. Endoscopes have opened
an easy access to the inner parts of the human body in minimal invasive
surgery. Optical methods for gene sequencing and biochips open new routes
for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Fluorescence methods have replaced
radioactive methods in screening processes in drug development. The role of
optical technologies as the key enabling factor in health care and life sciences
will grow tremendously in future. It is therefore a good time to write a book
on biophotonics with the aim to introduce students and young researchers to
this field and make a point of the importance of this science and technology.
In particular, each chapter consists of a review, an introduction to the subject
and a presentation of the current state of the art.
The first three chapters of the book are by Bassi, Giacometti and coworkers
on photosynthesis, on the application of photosynthesis to biofuel production
and on the role of carotenoids in photoprotection. Then, the chapter by
Diaspro and coworkers introduces the readers to non-linear microscopy. Another
kind of microscopy, spectral self-interference microscopy, is presented in
the chapter by
¨
Unl¨u and coworkers. The following chapter, also by
coworkers, deals with resonant cavity biosensors for sensing and imaging. A
different way to engineer biosensors is the use of optical microcavities: these
are reviewed in the chapter by Fauchet and coworkers.
More profound understanding of the nature of light and light-matter interactions in biology has enabled many applications in the biology and medical fields. So a new discipline is born, namely biophotonics. The aim of this book is to review the current state-of-the-art of the field by means of authoritative chapters written by the world leaders of the respective fields. This book will be useful not only to professionals, but also to graduate students interested in this field.
September 26, 2008 -- ISBN-10: 3540767797 -- 358 pages -- PDF -- 7.19 Mb
Download
*
Preface
This book is the brainchild of the fourth Optoelectronic and Photonic Winter
School on “Biophotonics” which took place from 25th February 2007 to 3rd
March 2007 in Sardagna, a small village on the mountains around Trento
in Italy. This school, held every two years, have been promoted to trace the
very fast developing technologies and the tremendous progress in photonics
which have occurred and will occur in the near future. It is a common view
that its current explosive development will lead to deep paradigm shifts in
the near future. Identifying the plausible scenario for the future evolution of
photonics presents an opportunity for constructive actions and scouting killer
technologies.
This book gathers together distinguished authors to give an overview of the
latest developments in biophotonics. Optical technologies have demonstrated
a long tradition in the fields of life science and health care. The microscope
has opened for us a view into the world of cells and bacteria and has evolved
into a modern powerful tool for basic biological research on cell processes.
Modern surgical microscopes have become key tools in neurosurgery, as well
as in ophthalmology and surgery. Image-guided systems make use of computer
tomography and MRI data in navigated surgery. Endoscopes have opened
an easy access to the inner parts of the human body in minimal invasive
surgery. Optical methods for gene sequencing and biochips open new routes
for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Fluorescence methods have replaced
radioactive methods in screening processes in drug development. The role of
optical technologies as the key enabling factor in health care and life sciences
will grow tremendously in future. It is therefore a good time to write a book
on biophotonics with the aim to introduce students and young researchers to
this field and make a point of the importance of this science and technology.
In particular, each chapter consists of a review, an introduction to the subject
and a presentation of the current state of the art.
The first three chapters of the book are by Bassi, Giacometti and coworkers
on photosynthesis, on the application of photosynthesis to biofuel production
and on the role of carotenoids in photoprotection. Then, the chapter by
Diaspro and coworkers introduces the readers to non-linear microscopy. Another
kind of microscopy, spectral self-interference microscopy, is presented in
the chapter by
¨
Unl¨u and coworkers. The following chapter, also by
coworkers, deals with resonant cavity biosensors for sensing and imaging. A
different way to engineer biosensors is the use of optical microcavities: these
are reviewed in the chapter by Fauchet and coworkers.
More profound understanding of the nature of light and light-matter interactions in biology has enabled many applications in the biology and medical fields. So a new discipline is born, namely biophotonics. The aim of this book is to review the current state-of-the-art of the field by means of authoritative chapters written by the world leaders of the respective fields. This book will be useful not only to professionals, but also to graduate students interested in this field.
September 26, 2008 -- ISBN-10: 3540767797 -- 358 pages -- PDF -- 7.19 Mb
Download
*