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Munich, 17 March 2009. Detection of cancer tumors at an early state, treatment of drinking water and monitoring of the quality of food – these are just some of the achievements which are being realized with the aid of biophotonic processes. Biophotonics combines different disciplines such as chemistry, biology and medicine, and is one of the technologies with the most promising future. The innovation motor of biophotonics will be one of the key topics for the first time at LASER World of PHOTONICS in Munich from 15 to 18 June 2009.

Since light carries out measurements quickly, sensitively and without contact, it is an ideal tool for researching causes of diseases at the cellular level, for example cancer. As a light-based technology, however, biophotonics is not only revolutionizing medical technology, it is also penetrating areas of environmental technology and nutrition. The range of applications of biophotonics extends from improved diagnosis of cancer and a quick test for a heart attack through to quality measurements in the production of food and animal feed.

Biophotonics section at LASER World of PHOTONICS extended for the first time
LASER World of PHOTONICS 2009 and the World of Photonics Congress have specifically extended their biophotonics and life sciences sections this year. Research institutes, developers and manufacturers of optical and photonic processes and methods will present their developments and solutions in the field of biophotonics during the world’s leading trade fair and the main international congress for optical technologies.

Overcoming the limits of technical disciplines
According to market analyses, biophotonics is regarded as one of the most important technologies which will help to develop new markets in the high-tech sector in future. The interdisciplinary character of this young research contains unique potential. However, the potential of biophotonics can only be fully exploited through creative cooperation between technology developers and users in medicine and life sciences. The world’s leading trade fair will therefore provide an ideal platform for science and industry to obtain information and exchange know-how and experiences on the latest solutions and developments from the fields of medicine, biotechnology, environmental technology and nutrition.

Biophotonics as an innovation motor
Expert talks during the World of Photonics Congress and presentations on the Federal Research Ministry’s key research topic of biophotonics focusing on applications will complement the products and solutions presented by exhibitors at LASER World of PHOTONICS 2009. The focal points will be the exchange of interdisciplinary information and experiences, and the related impetus for the transformation of scientific results into industrial products. This is an indispensable condition for future investment decisions and the development of new lines of business in biophotonics.

New methods in the health sector
Biophotonic applications in life sciences are increasing the quality and efficiency of medical care. Modern optical technologies allow studies to be made of biological specimens without damaging them and also provide an extremely high resolution for this purpose. It is therefore possible to look right inside a specimen and obtain three-dimensional images. Consequently, optical technologies enable the implementation of more precise diagnoses, treatments and therapies.

New developments are continually being promoted in this field. Interdisciplinary networks comprising doctors, scientists and engineers are constantly creating new biophotonic processes for diagnosing and treating diseases.
Greater use of the possibilities of optical technologies is also being made in the development of medicaments. Highly efficient and precise technologies are required, in particular, during pre-selection – so-called “screening” – of potential active substances. The possibilities of fluorescence spectroscopy, confocal microscopy or Raman spectroscopy are already now being used in industry.

Water quality means quality of life
Water forms the basis of all life processes. Due to environmental pollution and decreasing water supplies, clean water can no longer be taken for granted. Optical technologies facilitate measuring systems with the highest possible sensitivity requirements for monitoring stretches of water and treating drinking water. Biophotonic processes can be used to detect the most minute impurities and therefore purposefully improve the quality of water.

Food quality control using biophoton analysis
Making the invisible visible: biophoton analysis exposes things which cannot be seen with the naked human eye, for example food which has been contaminated, genetically modified or exposed to radiation. Electron transfer microscopy, laser light scattering and optical probes are just some of the methods by which small and minute structures can be identified. These measuring methods can be used to ascertain food toxins or the freshness of meat. Optical technologies are therefore also playing a forward-looking role in the quality control of food.

Biophotonics and life sciences at the World of Photonics Congress
In addition to a separate exhibition area in Hall B1 and additional displays by exhibitors in other halls at the Munich Trade Fair Center, the World of Photonics Congress will present the subject complex of biophotonics during the Conference entitled “Medical Laser Applications“ with expert practice-oriented talks on lasers in medicine, optical diagnostics, high-end endoscopy and minimally invasive surgery. The European Conferences on Biomedical Optics will feature a number of talks on biomedical optics, biophotonics, biomedical imaging, diagnostics and therapeutics.

Under the title “Visions for future diagnostics“, free Application Panels will examine the main topic of LASER World of PHOTONICS. Experts from science and industry will exchange information and experiences on current interdisciplinary developments and solutions. They will jointly formulate possible solutions and lay the foundations for future developments in the field of biophotonics.