Lasers in biology and medicine

When Theodore H. Maiman demonstrated the first ruby laser in May 1960, he surely could not have imagined all the possible future applications of laser technology. No one could have – lasers are so ubiquitous today, especially in the biosciences. They can trap and hold cells, induce fluorescence, treat skin conditions and even be used as scalpels.

At BioPhotonics, we have always been firmly committed to covering the latest and greatest advancements in photonics – including the newest developments in lasers for various applications.

This month, our coverage includes a wide range of laser applications. On page 16, contributing editor Hank Hogan looks at rugged, reliable fiber lasers and their myriad uses in medicine and the life sciences, from dermatology to imaging. He also checks in on the market for fiber lasers in biological applications.

On page 20, a feature from Holo-Or Ltd. examines a new fractional laser skin treatment method that employs diffractive optics. These treatments use ablative lasers but offer the safety and recovery-time advantages of nonablative laser treatments.

On page 22, a feature article from Semrock Inc.delves into advances bringing superresolution to fluorescence microscopy, discussing the role lasers play in stimulated emission depletion microscopy, among other superresolution techniques.

And at Photonics.com, we’re happy to present an interactive timeline displaying the history of the laser, from its humble beginnings to the present day.

We are proud to bring our readers the most exciting news from all areas of biophotonics, and we look forward to all the unimagined – and even unimaginable – technological developments the future will bring.

Visit www.lasertimeline.com to view the laser history timeline.