Imaging Goes Deeper

JUSTINE MURPHY, SENIOR EDITOR justine.murphy@photonics.com

Wound healing, memory formation, disease detection — these complex biological interactions have remained an enigma to researchers. The primary issue comes with the most common method for imaging deep into live tissue: It’s hampered by optical spherical imaging, which limits the ability to view delicate structures such as dendritic spines. In this issue’s cover story, Carlo Alonzo of the Scientific Solutions Group at Olympus Corp. of the Americas discusses how microscope objectives equipped with adjustable correction collars can compensate for the aberration — yielding submicron resolution that enables researchers to glean insights into dynamic events with little disruption to the biological system.

Also in this edition:

Contributing Editor Hank Hogan examines the world of computational imaging. Described as “an emerging interdisciplinary field [that] represents the integration between science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science,” such technology gathers data quickly. In turn, the entire realm of biomedical research is expanding swiftly. Learn more.
Lasers have been taking a larger role in the medical field, exhibiting strength in wavelength modulation, power, density, and energy. Ana Belén González Guerrero, a project leader at the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC), and Jose Pozo, the consortium’s director of technology and innovation, detail the growing responsibilities of lasers in various applications — from ophthalmology, lithotripsy, and oncology to dermatologic and cosmetic procedures. Read the full article.

Enjoy the issue!