Biophotonics Discovery: The Podcast

Recent research has unveiled fascinating insights into hemoglobin's behavior when exposed to heat, revealing its oxygenation-dependent dynamics. The study, conducted by Professor Antonio Pifferi and team at the Politecnico di Milano, highlights how the spectral properties of hemoglobin change under thermal treatment, significantly impacting approaches to laser-based thermal therapies. Read the...

In this episode, Darren Roblyer and Travis Sawyer talk to Dr. Guosong Hong about his award-winning work in the realm of biophotonics, specifically his groundbreaking research on optical clearing. Through innovative use of absorbing molecules, Guosong and his team have developed methods to achieve optical transparency in living tissues, allowing for deeper and sharper imaging. This approach could t...

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have unveiled vital insights into the structure of the human uncinate fasciculus, a significant white matter tract linking the anterior temporal lobe to the orbitofrontal cortex. Their findings not only mark the first detailed characterization of this critical brain connection but also illustrate the promise of advanced imaging techniques in understanding hum...

In a new study, researchers have demonstrated that athree-layer tissue model significantly enhances the ability to accurately analyze cerebral hemodynamics using functional dual-slope frequency-domain near-infrared spectroscopy, or “eff neers”. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy has become a key toolin monitoring brain activity due to its non-invasive nature. However, signal contamination from...

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have demonstrated that two key properties of human milk—specifically, fat concentration and the size distribution of milk fat globules—are critical for understanding how light scatters in this vital fluid. This discovery has the potential to enhance noninvasive methods of analyzing human milk, which can support breastfeeding efforts and address common lactati...

In an exciting advancement for women's health, researchers have developed a groundbreaking endoscope specifically designed for imaging and cell collection in the fallopian tubes, potentially paving the way for earlier detection of ovarian cancer. This innovative device could dramatically improve diagnosis rates, as early-stage ovarian cancer has a much higher survival rate compared to later st...

A groundbreaking study has revealed that the refractive index of milk fat globules in human milk is notably higher than that found in bovine milk. This finding is crucial for improving the accuracy of optical measurements used in analyzing milk composition. As human milk serves as a primary source ofnutrition for infants, understanding its physical properties is paramount. Important physical prope...

In this episode of our commercialization series, Darren and Gwen sit down with Eman Namati, the CEO of SpectraWAVE, to explore how his team moved from concept to a major acquisition by Philips in under six years. Eman shares his unique path from starting a computer business at age twelve to leading biophotonics innovation, including his decade-long tenure at NinePoint Medical. We discuss the clini...

Recent advances in biomedical optics have introduced new approaches for examining tissue microstructure in connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDS), a group of inherited disorders that affect the body’s connective tissues, particularly collagen, and can lead to joint hypermobility, fragile skin, and other systemic complications. In this work, Kseniia Tumanova, Alex Vitkin,...

In this episode, Biophotonics Discovery Associate Editor Travis Sawyer interviews Laura Marcu, professor of biomedical engineering at the University of California, Davis, and director of the National Center for Interventional Biophotonics Technologies. Laura shares her journey from early training in engineering in Romania to becoming a leader in biophotonics in the United States, reflecting on the...

A novel optical technique could be the key to predicting life-threatening complications during hemodialysis, offering a noninvasive way to monitor patients’ fluid status in real time. In a recent clinical study, researchers demonstrated that broadband near-infrared spectroscopy, combined with frequency-domain measurements—as implemented in a custom-built device—can detect physiologic changes assoc...

In a significant step toward improving the success of in vitro fertilization, researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a new kind of embryo culture dish that dramatically enhances imaging accuracy, thanks to a clever use of material science. By matching the optical properties of the culture dish to those of the surrounding fluid, Zhao and colleagues have vastly improved the clarity with...

A recent breakthrough tackles a long‑standing challenge in thyroid cancer surgery, by blending advanced optical imaging with artificial intelligence. Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, and as detection rates continue to rise, surgeons face a delicate problem: how to remove all the cancerous tissue while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. The thyroid sits in a crowded n...

In this episode of our commercialization series, Darren and Gwen sit down with David Cuccia (President & CTO) and Amaan Mazhar (CEO) of Modulim, a biophotonics startup developing commercial applications of Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging (SFDI). David and Amaan share their journey from graduate school at UC Irvine's Beckman Laser Institute to building a medtech company. The conversation c...

Imagine checking your blood pressure as easily as taking a selfie—with no cuff, no discomfort, and continuous readings throughout the day. That’s the promise of optical, cuffless blood pressure monitoring, and it’s closer to reality than ever. In a new review, Garrett and colleagues explore the state of the science behind this emerging technology, its challenges, and what it will take to bring it...

New research highlights a critical gap in our understanding of how light interacts with the skin’s outermost layer—and the consequences for the accuracy and equity of wearable health technologies. While skin-interfacing optical devices like pulse oximeters and smartwatches are now common, the optical properties of the epidermis—the very layer these systems rely on—remain poorly characterized, espe...

Photoplethysmography is a powerful optical technique used indevices like smartwatches and pulse oximeters to track vital signs. Yet this seemingly simple technology has a complicated, and at times inequitable, truth—it doesn’t work equally well for everyone. Jakachira and colleagues have developed and tested a novel wearable PPG sensor that could mark a significant step forward in addressing one o...

In this AI briefing, hear about a new breakthrough by a team from Duke University that brings high-speed, high-precision blood cell imaging closer to clinical reality by using a low-cost, embedded GPU platform to powerone of the most advanced microscopy techniques known. The work opens the path towards portable, cost-effective diagnostic devices with almost lab-grade performance. Read the full art...

In October, Biophotonics Discovery hosted a webinar on biophotonics in global health. This episode includes the recorded audio from that event. To watch the full video recording, visit https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/bios-hot-topics-webinars ⁠. Optical techniques offer an ideal solution for global healthcare challenges thanks to their low cost, high sensitivity to a wide range of molecules and...

In this episode, hosts Darren and Gwen explore the innovative journey behind Dose Optics, a startup co-founded by Brian Pogue, Robert A. Pritzker Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Dartmouth College. The company is pioneering the use of Cherenkov radiation imaging to enhance precision in radiation therapy, offering clinicians a visual tool to verify and optimize treatment in real time. Brian s...

Oral cancer often goes unnoticed until it's too late—but a new low-cost, smartphone-based imaging tool might change that reality for good. Researchers at Rice University have developed an innovative system called mDOC that combines white light and autofluorescence imaging with machine learning to help dental professionals assess oral lesions and recommend specialist referrals, even if they’re...

In a promising leap toward faster and more accurate cancer diagnosis, researchers have demonstrated that artificial intelligence can distinguish pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors from normal tissue using label-free microscopy images. This breakthrough could one day replace time-consuming histology workflows, speeding up clinical decisions and improving surgical outcomes. Read the article online: ht...

Can photonics help detect microbial imbalances before symptoms appear? In this AI briefing, we learn how the Locke Lab at Vanderbilt University is using laser-based spectroscopy to transform women’s reproductive health—offering early, non-invasive insights into the vaginal microbiome and paving the way for smarter point-of-care diagnostics. Read the article online: https://doi.org/10.1117/1.BIOS.2...

In this episode, Dr. Anita Mahadevan-Jansen reveals her strategy for building a cohesive and collaborative research community within her lab. She and Darren also discuss how the field of biophotonics has evolved over the years, and she highlights the ongoing challenges faced by researchers in this dynamic area. Watch the full video interview online at https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/journals/bi...

In this episode, Biophotonics Discovery Editor-in-Chief Darren Roblyer interviews Anita Mahadevan-Jansen, professor of biomedical engineering at Vanderbilt University, and a leading figure in the field of biophotonics. Anita recounts her remarkable journey from India to the United States, where a series of unexpected events and challenges led her to pivot from her dream of studying medicine, to be...