Understanding Biophotonics: Fundamentals, Advances and Applications

Abstract

The leapfrog advancement in the realm of biophotonics in the past one to two decades has successfully permeated it not only in biochemistry and cell/molecular biology but also in numerous preclinical applications. On the one hand, researchers around the world are searching ways to tap different biophotonics technologies into real clinical practices, particularly cellular and molecular optical imaging. On the other hand, emerging technologies, such as laser nanosurgery and nanoplasmonics, have created new insights for understanding, monitoring, and even curing diseases on the molecular basis — possibly setting up the next high tide. This book particularly presents the essential basics of optics and biophotonics to the new comers (senior undergraduates or postgraduate researchers) who are interested in this multidisciplinary research field. With contributions from leading experts, the book also highlights the major current advancements in preclinical diagnostics using optical microscopy and spectroscopy, including multiphoton microscopy, nanoscopy, and endomicroscopy. The book also introduces a number of emerging techniques and toolsets for biophotonics applications, such as nanoplasmonics, microresonators for molecular detection, and subcellular optical nanosurgery.