Optics in Biology and Medicine Division

Division Overview

This division represents the developing area of Optics in Biology and Medicine. The division spans four Technical Groups: Diffuse Imaging and Optics, Microscopy and OCT, Biomedical Optical Spectroscopy and Therapeutic Laser Applications. The themes of these groups encompass laser and optical techniques and technologies for diagnostic as well as therapeutic applications. Topics range from fundamental research and technology development to biomedical studies and clinical applications. We hope that this division will provide a forum for improved communication and interaction among the optics, biomedical optics, biology and medical research communities.

What’s Hot in Optics Today?

Find out more about the current activities of this division, as well as emerging topics in the field and current challenges by reading this presentation by Gregory Faris, SRI International, Division Chair.

Division Overview Presentation

Download ( PDF, 4 MB)

Technical Groups

Diffuse Imaging and Optics (OI)

A variety of techniques are being applied to in vivo optical imaging and measurements wherein the light has been scattered many times. This diffusion of light or photon migration may be used to perform imaging or to determine tissue properties or concentrations of analytes. Such measurements are typically performed with near infrared light, and hemoglobin or exogenous contrast agents are often target analytes.

Special emphasis is being placed on quantitative measurements, image reconstruction, contrast agents, biological relevance, and multimodal imaging. Application areas include small animal imaging, breast cancer imaging, brain mapping, and endoscopic or intraoperative imaging.

Microscopy and OCT (OM)

Microscopy, the first imaging modality applied to biology and medicine, continues to play a dominant role in these fields. The emphasis of this group is the development of new techniques for microscopy.

Techniques that use coherent detection or nonlinear wavelength conversion include optical coherence tomography, multi-photon fluorescence microscopy, second and third harmonic generation microscopy, and coherent anti-Stokes Raman microscopy. Techniques that enhance resolution or imaging speed include near field, 4pi, structured light, stimulated emission depletion, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) microscopies. Molecular interactions are studied by optical monitoring of energy transfer, quenching, lifetimes, and Brownian motion.

Biomedical Optical Spectroscopy (OS)

Photon migration methods as well as more classical spectroscopic tools such as absorption, fluorescence, Raman, and photo-acoustic techniques in the optical portion of the electromagnetic spectrum are playing an increasingly important role in non-minimally invasive medical and benchtop clinical diagnostics. The Biomedical Optical Spectroscopy Topical Group of the Division of Optics in Biology and Medicine features the use of spectroscopic tools for diagnostic medicine, genomics, protein biophysics, microscopy, and feedback mechanisms for therapeutic procedures.

Therapeutic Laser Applications (OT)

Topics of interest to this group involve the use of lasers in surgery or other treatments of diseases. This would include the use of lasers as surgical tools and the implementation of optics, spectroscopy, and lasers to provide feedback and diagnostics of clinical procedures. Some examples are:

• Tissue welding
• Dermatology: the removal of wrinkles, tattoos and port-wine stains
• Opthalmology: treatment for glaucoma and retinography, refractive surgery
• Otolaryngology: incisionless tonsillectomy
• Cardiology: angioplasty, cardiac laser perfusion
• Oncology: photodynamic therapy

Division Leadership

Chris Schaffer, Division Chair (9/07-10/09) University of California San Diego MS 0374, Dept. of Physics 9500 Gilman Dr. La Jolla CA 92093-0374 Tel: +1 858.405.4777 Fax: +1 858.534.7697 E-mail: cschaffer@ucsd.edu

Urs Utzinger, Division Chair-Elect (9/07-10/09) University of Arizona Arizona Cancer Center 1968H 1515 N. Campbell Tucson, AZ 85724-0000 Tel: +1 520.626.9281 Fax: +1 520.626.9287 Email: utzinger@u.arizona.edu

Biomedical Optical Spectroscopy

Andrew Dunn, Chair (9/07-10/09) University of Texas at Austin Biomedical Engineering Dept 1 University Station, C0800 Austin , TX 78712 Tel: +1 512.232.2121 Fax: +1 512.471.0616 E-mail: adunn@mail.utexas.edu

Diffuse Imaging and Optics (OI)

Hamid Dehghani, Vice-Chair (9/07-10/08) Dartmouth College School of Physics Stocker Road Exeter EX4 4QL UNITED KINGDOM Tel: +44.1392264177 Fax: +44.1392264111 Email: H.Dehghani@exeter.ac.uk

Microscopy and OCT

Adam Wax, Chair (9/07-10/09) Duke University Department of Biomedical Eng. PO Box 90281 Durham NC 27708-0000 Tel: +1 919.660.5143 Fax: +1 919.684.4488 E-mail: a.wax@duke.edu

Therapeutic Laser Application

Seonkyung Lee, Chair (10/06-10/08) Physical Sciences Inc. 20 New England Business Center Andover , MA 01810 Tel: +1 978.738.8183 Fax: +1 978.689.3232 E-mail: lee@psicorp.com