BIOPHOTONICS/MULTISPECTRAL IMAGING: UK’s Photonex 2011 launches two-day biophotonics conference
Biophotonics is attracting increased research funding, and the UK is a significant player in this growing field, said Prof. Duncan Graham of the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow, Scotland). Graham made his remarks during the opening of the new two-day biophotonics conference at Photonex—regarded by many as the UK’s premier show for photonics technologies. A leader in the application of Raman spectroscopy, Graham is Head of Research, Pure and Applied Chemistry for the university; as well as director of WestCHEM, the joint Research School of Chemistry for the West of Scotland; and a co-founder of the Centre for Molecular Nanometrology. He served as chair of the Biophotonics: Nanospectroscopy meeting, which comprised the first day of the biophotonics conference and focused on research topics. The second day of the conference covered clinical applications and was titled, “In health, 4 life.” Because the conference attracted great interest, it will become a standard feature for future events.
Multispectral imaging was a theme in both the biophotonics conference and the rest of the program, which featured 12 parallel themes. One of the tutorials in the program on vision and imaging, “Hyperspectral imaging—exploring the journey of the photon and seeing the invisible,” attracted a particularly enthusiastic audience. According to Kevin Lynch of Gilden Photonics, who presented the tutorial, “more people are appreciating that hyperspectral imaging is a technique that has advantages...because of its capability to give multiple results all from one instrument.” He added that, “Measurements such as of protein, fat and moisture content in the food industry is one such application.”
The event’s 130 exhibitors showed their wares to a crowd of attendees that had increased by 15% over the 2010 event. The dates for the next Photonex are set for October 17–18, 2012, when the event promises to once again reflect the strength of the UK’s photonics industry. —Jezz Leckenby, Talking Science, UK ([email protected])
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