New Photonics West Translational Research program advances technologies for healthcare

Translational Research program draws from SPIE BiOS conferences for outcomes-based medicine

20 January 2014
Bruce Tromberg
Bruce Tromberg

BELLINGHAM, Washington, USA -- New photonics tools, techniques, and technologies to meet challenges in global healthcare will be emphasized in the Translational Research virtual symposium being introduced at SPIE Photonics West 2014. Dates are 1-6 February at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. Photonics West is organized by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics.

"The new program 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, Irvine.

The Translational Research program -- designed to facilitate the translation of biophotonics research into clinical practice -- includes approximately 200 papers selected from SPIE BiOS, the premier biomedical optics symposium. 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 inaugural program includes a special focus on outcome-based studies with potential for adoption in clinical practice in the near term, and is organized around several topics:

  • Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics
  • Clinical Technologies and Systems
  • Tissue Optics, Laser-Tissue Interaction, and Tissue Engineering
  • Biomedical Spectroscopy, Microscopy, and Imaging
  • Nano/Biophotonics

A Lunchtime Forum on 2 February will give 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.

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.

Speakers and their topics are:

Along with Translational Research and BiOS, SPIE Photonics West includes the LASE, OPTO, MOEMS-MEMS, and Green Photonics symposia, two exhibitions, a job fair, an industry program of expert panels and other activities, numerous networking opportunities, and an extensive professional development program of workshops and technical courses.

The BiOS Expo on opening weekend will feature technologies from more than 210 suppliers in the biomedical optics and photonics sector. The sold-out Photonics West exhibition will run 4-6 February and showcase more than 1,225 companies with the latest products, tools, and devices. Admission to both exhibitions is free.

SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. The Society serves nearly 235,000 constituents from approximately 155 countries, offering conferences, continuing education, books, journals, and a digital library in support of interdisciplinary information exchange, professional networking, and patent precedent. SPIE provided $3.2 million in support of education and outreach programs in 2013.

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