Optical Interactions with Tissue and Cells XXXVI

The Optical Interactions with Tissue and Cells conference addresses the complex interaction of light with biological tissues. The modeling, experimental measurement and validation, and application of both classical and quantum optical interactions to measure unique changes in a biological system is core to this conference. Classical light-tissue interaction, governed by the inherent properties of the light, such as intensity, wavelength, polarization and coherence, already results in complex multiphysical interaction mechanism(s) (photochemical, photothermal, photomechanical, and plasma formation). Mechanisms and applications for laser ablation are of high interest to this conference. In the field of nonclassical interactions, quantum correlations, for example such as those caused by entangled photons, open up exciting new possibilities for the study and optimization of quantum efficiency.

This conference reaches beyond just the optical wavelengths to include lower frequencies in the RF (radio frequency) and THz (terahertz) regions. Investigation of the fundamental mechanisms of laser tissue and cell interactions is gaining further importance for innovative clinical applications due to its increasing use in surgery in combination with optical imaging. The field has expanded to include not only bulk tissue responses, but also cellular and molecular responses to electromagnetic irradiation at the in vitro and in vivo level. In general, novel imaging methods to visualize these processes are of great interest for the conference. With the growing use of artificial intelligence and deep learning, modeling of light propagation can be used at a completely different level to predict or simulate the relevant interaction mechanisms.

Beyond advancing the modeling and measurement of EM interactions, this conference is also focused on innovative methods for teaching biophotonics to the next generation of optical engineers. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of interactions between optical radiation, tissue, and cells is the basis for the development of future biomedical optic technologies that include both therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Relevant to this goal, presentations with clinical relevance are especially encouraged.

The presenters of posters will be asked to participate in a speed poster session. This will be a 3-4 minute presentation of your poster at the start of the poster session. This will ensure that all accepted abstracts of this conference will receive an opportunity to present their work. At the end of the conference awards will be given out for the best oral presentations and best poster. A preliminary list of session topics is listed below. Please include these terms in abstracts for the purpose of organizing sessions.

• novel applications of lasers and light in biomedicine/nanomedicine
• photothermal, photochemical, photo-oxidative, and photomechanical interactions
• mechanisms of pulsed laser ablation
• novel imaging methods to visualizing optical interactions with tissues and cells
• ultrafast laser phenomena in cells and tissue
• optical monitoring of tissue mechanics
• optical properties of tissues and cells
• quantum light tissue interactions
• micro-and nanosurgery in cells and tissues (dissection, tissue welding, ablation)
• biomolecular and biophysical response of cells and tissues to electromagnetic waves
• photonics based diagnostics for communicable and non-communicable diseases
• numerical approaches simulating laser-tissue interactions and response
• advanced numerical methods for modeling light tissue interaction (machine learning/neural networks)
• advanced imaging approaches (IVIS, MRI, CT, etc.) to visualize electromagnetic tissue interaction and resolve in vivo optical properties
• signal modeling as a function of tissue optical properties
• education and training in biophotonics.