The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) Biophotonics research priority will be present at LASER World of PHOTONICS 2009 with an exhibition of BMBF-sponsored joint projects. Under the heading of "Visions for future diagnostics" it will organize application-related workshops and take part in the European Conferences for Biomedical Optics (ECBO) – a fringe event taking place during the trade show.

The exhibition of joint research projects in Hall B1 will be presenting a lot of new ideas, since in 2009 eight joint projects will be completing their work. The aims of the projects range from developing new platforms for observing living cells to predicting the risk of a heart attack with a rapid test that can be carried out by general practitioners. In cooperation with the European Network of Excellence "Photonics4Life" the research priority also plans to organize workshops where medical practitioners, representatives from industry and scientists can discuss the problems faced by biomedical users and try to develop possible solution approaches with the help of optical methods and technologies. As in 2007, the Biophotonics research priority will also take part in the European Conferences for Biomedical Optics (ECBO), which will be held within the scope of the World of Photonics Congress.
Just recently a public event in Jena, Germany showed the many ways in which doctors and patients, but also society in general, can benefit from optical technologies. At the Photonics meets Life Sciences Congress in September about 200 participants discussed successful projects, areas where action is needed and research funding for biophotonics. Politicians, representatives from the industry and scientists were all equally convinced of the enormous potential that is offered by biophotonics. For example, State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Prof. Dr. Frieder Meyer-Krahmer, believed that the German government is on the right track with its sponsoring of biophotonics. Dr. Frank Stietz, Head of Research and Development at Carl Zeiss AG, also pointed out the indispensable role of joint research involving industry and the sciences in order to translate the latest technologies into practice-oriented and marketable solutions as quickly as possible.
The event was sponsored by Federal Research Minister Dr. Annette Schavan and organized by the Biophotonics research priority and the Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT).
President of the German cancer aid foundation, Deutsche Krebshilfe, Prof. Dr. Dagmar Schipanski – talking here with Prof. Dr. Rainer Uhl and Prof. Gert von Bally – obtained detailed information about the BMBF-funded projects at the event in Jena
photo: Biophotonics research priority