Lab-on-a-Fiber Incubator: Technologies, Applications, and Opportunities

10 - 12 November 2023
Optica Global Headquarters, Washington, DC, USA

Hosts: 

• Conor L. Evans, Wellman Center for Photomedicine/Massachusetts General Hospital, United States
• Walter Margulis, Centro de Telecomunicações PUC-Rio, Brazil

Program Overview

Fiber optics offer unique, optically-addressable sensing and diagnostic capabilities for applications across biomedicine. Fibers can be designed and functionalized for the precise, multiplexed detection of analytes and physiological parameters. The focus of this incubator is to bring together expertise spanning optical fiber technologies, engineering, biophotonics, and medicine to identify key biomedical challenges and opportunities, discuss optical fiber sensing capabilities, and collaborate towards new lab-on-a-fiber developments.

This incubator aims to discuss the current state of the art in optical fiber-based sensing and analysis alongside discussions of both biomedical opportunity areas and enabling optical and photonic technologies. The goal is to connect novel research with outstanding challenges to foster innovation and drive the development of lab-on-a-fiber technologies. 

Scope and Topics

This topic will bring together a diverse set of innovators and stakeholders across photonics, optics, and biomedicine to brainstorm and discuss the creation of new and improved sensing and diagnostic fiber technologies. Identified problems worth solving will likely not be isolated to optical fibers, and optical fiber and other photonics tools identified will almost certainly have applications beyond those discussed, both aspects that would have an impact beyond those attending the incubator.

Through panels, breakout sessions, moderated discussion periods, and informal networking, this incubator seeks to address the following:

• What is the current state-of-the-art in lab-on-a-fiber technology?
• What are the outstanding biological and medical problems worth solving for lab-on-a-fiber technologies?
• Which photonic, electronic, and other optical toolkits can be combined with optical fibers to create and improve sensing and diagnostic capabilities?

The incubator aims to identify biomedical problems worth solving that would be excellent candidates for lab-on-a-fiber development by bringing together experts spanning medicine, biology, optical fibers, engineering, and photonics. Potential outcomes of the meeting could include:

• A translational or position paper that summarizes the meeting and its conclusions,
• Identified collaborations between technologists and physicians/application scientists,
• Identified potential funding opportunities to advance identified research,
• Connections between academic and industry partners to translate promising technologies towards biomedical applications.

Meeting Schedule

The program, including breakfasts and lunches, will be held at Optica Global Headquarters, 2010 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20036. Dinners, which are also included in the registration fee, will be held at local restaurants. All times approximate, check back for a detailed agenda.

DAY 1 - 10 November 2023​

• Dinner, location to be determined, at 18:00 EDT

DAY 2 - 11 November 2023

• Breakfast begins at 08:00 EDT at Optica Global Headquarters
• Program begins at 08:30 EDT, lunch is included onsite​
• Dinner, location to be determined, begins at 18:00 EDT

DAY 3 - 12 November 2023

• Breakfast begins at 08:00 EDT at Optica Global Headquarters
• Program begins at 08:30 EDT, lunch is included onsite​
• Adjourn at 14:00 EDT

Are you interested in attending?

A limited number of spots have been set aside at this invitation-only meeting for interested individuals to apply for. Please send a brief letter of interest along with a CV to the hosts at incubators@optica.org.

Additional Information

This page will provide you with information on receiving a letter of invitation if required for your visa, as well as additional logistical and area information.