New photonics tools, techniques, and technologies to meet challenges in global healthcare will be emphasised in the Translational Research virtual symposium being introduced at SPIE Photonics West in February.
The Translational Research programme - designed to facilitate the translation of biophotonics research into clinical practice - includes approximately 200 papers selected from SPIE BiOS, a biomedical optics symposium also being held at Photonics West. Papers selected demonstrate outcomes-based optical and light-based solutions for healthcare challenges, particularly for diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of cancer, heart disease, and neurological disease.
‘The new programme on translational research features exciting biophotonics technologies with the potential to change clinical outcomes and improve the lives of patients,’ said symposium chair Bruce Tromberg, director of the Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic at University of California.
The inaugural programme includes a special focus on outcome-based studies with potential for adoption in clinical practice in the near future, and is organised around several topics including: photonic therapeutics and diagnostics; clinical technologies and systems; tissue optics, laser-tissue interaction, and tissue engineering; biomedical spectroscopy, microscopy, and imaging; and nano/biophotonics.
The session will begin with introductory comments from Tromberg, followed by talks by winners of the Translational Research Best Paper Awards and a discussion period. The session will allow members of the medical community, device makers, and biophotonics researchers the opportunity to discuss adaptation trends, application opportunities, clinical needs, and regulatory challenges in moving technology from the laboratory to the clinic.
