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  • Volume 7, Issue 2
  • Volume 7, Issue 2

    Raw sensor output of imec's 32 wavelength tiled-snapshot multispectral imagers, showing the simultaneous capture of 32 images at different wavelengths of a test scene. A standard objective lens, combined with a custom optical duplicator, images all objects in front of the camera in parallel on the 32 spectral tiles of the imager.
    Detectors & Imaging

    Biomedical Imaging: Getting started with spectral imaging

    Feb. 17, 2015
    Many consider spectral imaging-which reveals both the chemical signature and the spatial structure of specimens-to be the next essential research tool. Starter kits make it easy...
    1403end Fig1
    Microscopy

    Microscopes make microgravity—and a movie

    March 18, 2014
    In 2011, NASA announced achievement of its long-term goal of operating a light microscope in the International Space Station.
    (Images courtesy of Bruce Kohorn/Bowdoin College)
    The surface of a leaf captured using single-focal-plane confocal microscopy. Green represents cell-surface green fluorescent protein (GFP); blue, chlorophyll; and red, red lipid membrane dye.
    Microscopy

    Exhibit celebrates 'The Art of Cell Biology'

    March 18, 2014
    Honoring the work of his cell biology students over the past 10 years, Bowdoin College (Brunswick, ME) professor Bruce Kohorn created an art exhibit showcasing his students' optical...
    A representative single-pixel spectra collected from the eyelid tissue section shown in Fig. 4 shows high SNR and spectral fidelity. The inset illustrates the concept of the new sparse data collection modality.
    Spectroscopy

    CLINICAL PATHOLOGY/DRUG DEVELOPMENT/LIVE CELL IMAGING: High-confidence, high-throughput screening with high-def IR microspectroscopy

    March 18, 2014
    High-definition infrared (IR) microspectroscopic imaging in a desktop system enables high-throughput cell and tissue screening for clinical diagnostics and drug discovery. Made...
    Biophotonics Tools

    FEMTOSECOND LASERS/OPTICAL MICROSYSTEMS: 3D printing of medical microsystems with ultrafast lasers

    March 18, 2014
    Ultrafast lasers meet the increased demands of microsystems manufacture, enabling the creation of optically rich biosensors from glass or fused silica.

    More content from Volume 7, Issue 2

    FIGURE 1. Coherence—that is, a propagation of photons in the same direction, amplitude, and phase—is important for maximizing penetration penetration for light therapy.
    Biomedicine

    LIGHT THERAPY: Low-level laser therapy: Treatment through precise application of light

    March 18, 2014
    Greater control of laser output is enabling clinicians to selectively treat tissue by targeting light-absorbing molecules. With an increase in objective research verifying its...
    1403bowshapirofrontis
    Fluorescence

    CYTOMETRY/DISEASE DETECTION: Future cytometry: Going with—or without—the flow

    March 18, 2014
    Recent advances in optics and electronics could make cytometric technology highly affordable and broadly applicable within the next few years, filling new niches and challenging...
    1403bownews Fig1
    Bioscience

    GENOMICS/BONE MARROW DONATION: Next-gen DNA sequencing enables reliable donor matching service

    March 18, 2014
    A new lab test at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (PA; CHOP) uses next-generation sequencing (MiSeq from Illumina; San Diego, CA) in an effort to improve transplant outcomes...
    (Image courtesy of UPV)
    The surface of a Blu-ray disc is hydrophobic, allowing proteins to be locked in place by passive adsorption in a high-density format (64 points in each 1 mm2 drop).
    Biophotonics Tools

    POINT OF CARE/HIGH-THROUGHPUT SCREENING/ ENVIRO MONITORING: Blu-ray adaptation enables low-cost screening of microorganisms, toxins, biomarkers

    March 18, 2014
    A test that uses Blu-ray technology to detect Salmonella, toxic substances, allergens, and cancer biomarkers could help under-resourced installations access capabilities currently...
    This mid-IR fiber laser owes its ability to produce 25X the power of standard lasers to a novel setup. The result is greater sensitivity, and thus an ability to analyze breath among other gases.
    Biophotonics Tools

    DISEASE DETECTION/ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING: Novel design makes mid-IR fiber laser super-sensitive for breath analysis

    March 18, 2014
    A fiber laser able to produce 25 times more light than other lasers operating at a similar wavelength has proven able to detect very low concentrations of gases.
    (Image courtesy of the Thayer School of Engineering/Dartmouth College)
    An overview of the MRI/NIR spectroscopy system. The NIR spectroscopy system is housed in the MRI control room (a) and light is piped into the MRI suite for patient imaging using fiber-optic cables (b). A combined MRI/NIR spectroscopy breast coil (c) makes simultaneous MRI and NIR spectroscopy imaging possible.
    Spectroscopy

    SPECTROSCOPY/BREAST CANCER: Light-emitting cables enable MRI/NIR approach to breast cancer assessment

    March 18, 2014
    A new approach that combines magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy could spare women with suspicious mammogram results from invasive biopsies ...
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    Biomedicine

    PHOTODYNAMICS/PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY: UV light-activated glue dramatically improves pediatric heart defect treatment

    March 18, 2014
    A new material with light-activated adhesive properties promises a dramatic improvement in treatment for children born with certain heart defects.
    (Image courtesy of SUNY)
    Efficient nanosheet photodetectors could dramatically improve low-light imaging equipment, including cameras for biomedical research and assessment as well as cell phone-based mobile diagnostics.
    Bioimaging

    BIOMEDICAL IMAGING/NANOTECHNOLOGY: Extreme low-light imaging to benefit from photodetector material

    March 18, 2014
    Ultrathin "nanosheets" -- indium selenide (In2Se3)-based material made of highly efficient nano-sized light detectors -- could provide a huge benefit to low-light biomedical imaging...
    1403bowbreak Fig4
    Spectroscopy

    CONFOCAL RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY: Raman-based in vivo system provides objective diagnosis of pre-cancer in real time

    March 18, 2014
    An in vivo molecular diagnostic system has proven clinically capable of real-time pre-cancer diagnosis during gastrointestinal endoscopy.
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    Microscopy

    PHOTOACOUSTIC MICROSCOPY: Isolating signal from photobleached molecules produces super-resolution image

    March 18, 2014
    Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis (MO) have turned a significant drawback of laser microscopy -- photobleaching -- into an equally significant advantage.
    1403bowbreak Fig1
    Fluorescence

    STIMULATED RAMAN SCATTERING/LIVE CELL IMAGING: Chemical tag and SRS combo images small biomolecule dynamics within living cells

    March 18, 2014
    The ability to visualize small biomolecules inside living biological systems with minimal disturbance has been a goal in the scientific community for years.
    1403bowbreak Fig3
    Neuroscience

    OPTOGENETICS/SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Laser brain stimulation reduces alcohol consumption in rats

    March 18, 2014
    Low-frequency light activation of dopamine (DA) neurons reduces a drinking binge by 54% and significantly delays the start of drinking. These are the findings of research on rats...
    Barbaragoode2
    Microscopy

    Life sciences seen as key at SPIE Photonics West '14

    March 18, 2014
    Again and again at SPIE Photonics West 2014 (February 1-6), I found evidence of the importance of life sciences applications among optics and photonics suppliers and systems developers...