Abstract
We present a feature issue containing 14 papers based on a subset of the studies presented during the Optica Biophotonics Congress: Biomedical Optics held on April 7-10, 2024, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
Introduction
The Optica Biophotonics Congress: Biomedical Optics took place in April 2024, transitioning from a hybrid format in 2022 (featuring both in-person and real-time remote presentations) to a fully in-person event with on-demand presentations. The congress saw participation of 458 colleagues from 32 countries, with 402 papers presented. The venue, with all conference rooms conveniently located adjacent to one another, fostered a dynamic environment for networking and facilitated spontaneous discussions for collaborations.
In the 2024 congress, Dr. Christine Hendon (USA) and Dr. Jonathan Liu (USA) served as the congress chairs. There were five conference tracks: (1) Microscopy, Histopathology and Analytics, chaired by Dr. Nada Boustany (USA) and Dr. Milind Rajadhyaksha (USA); (2) Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), chaired by Dr. Kirill Larin (USA), Dr. Amy Oldenburg (USA), and Dr. Maciej Wojtkowski (Poland); (3) Optical Tomography and Spectroscopy, chaired by Dr. Stefan Carp (USA) and Dr. Chulhong Kim (South Korea); (4) Clinical and Translational Biophotonics (Translational), chaired by Dr. Ioan Notingher (UK) and Dr. Jessica Ramella-Roman (USA); and (5) Optics and the Brain, chaired by Dr. Pablo Blinder (Israel), Dr. Erin Buckley (USA), Valentina Emiliani (France), and Dr. Jennifer Lynch (USA).
This feature issue presents 14 papers based on a subset of studies presented at congress [1–14]. We extend our gratitude to all authors who contributed their manuscripts. Notably, the Microscopy, Histopathology, and Analytics track received the highest number of submissions, reflecting continuing advancements and interest in the field. Additionally, this issue includes an editorial reviewing biomedical optics research and training in the Philippines [1], which we highly encourage everyone to read.
Looking ahead, the next Optica Biophotonics Congress: Biomedical Optics will once again be held at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, Florida, USA, from April 26–30, 2026. We invite colleagues to join us for in-depth discussions and valuable networking opportunities.
References
- 1.Perez P. N. G., Calpito K. J. A. C., Jimenez S. J. A., “Biomedical optics: illuminating paths to enhance health equity in the Philippines,” Biomed. Opt. Express 15(9), 5505–5510 (2024). 10.1364/BOE.531499 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Martínez-Ojeda R. M., Prieto-Bonete G., Perez-Cárceles M. D., et al. , “Structural changes in the crystalline lens as a function of the postmortem interval assessed with two-photon imaging microscopy,” Biomed. Opt. Express 15(7), 4318–4329 (2024). 10.1364/BOE.524380 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.Sugimura M., Marcelino K., Romero R., et al. , “High-speed reflectance confocal microscopy using speckle modulation,” Biomed. Opt. Express 15(8), 4877–4890 (2024). 10.1364/BOE.531577 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 4.Hu L., Cohen R. I., Barroso M., et al. , “Comparison of vinculin tension in cellular monolayers and three-dimensional multicellular aggregates,” Biomed. Opt. Express 15(9), 5199–5214 (2024). 10.1364/BOE.529156 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 5.Kim Y., Zhao J., Liang B., et al. , “Automated analysis of scattering-based light sheet microscopy images of anal squamous intraepithelial lesions,” Biomed. Opt. Express 15(9), 5547–5559 (2024). 10.1364/BOE.531700 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 6.Espinosa-Momox A., Norton B., Cywinska M., et al. , “Single-shot quantitative phase microscopy: a multi-functional tool for cell analysis,” Biomed. Opt. Express 15(10), 5999–6009 (2024). 10.1364/BOE.533091 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 7.Lu T., Khampang P., Beydoun A., et al. , “Realtime and noninvasive assessment of endotracheal tube displacement using near-infrared and visible cameras,” Biomed. Opt. Express 15(11), 6355–6369 (2024). 10.1364/BOE.531815 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 8.Yang L., Ji P., Miranda Buzetta A. A., et al. , “Longitudinal tracking of perfluorooctanoic acid exposure on mammary epithelial cell spheroids by dynamic optical coherence tomography,” Biomed. Opt. Express 15(9), 5115–5127 (2024). 10.1364/BOE.530775 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 9.Brunner E., Kunze L., Laidlaw V., et al. , “Improvements on speed, stability and field of view in adaptive optics OCT for anterior retinal imaging using a pyramid wavefront sensor,” Biomed. Opt. Express 15(10), 6098–6116 (2024). 10.1364/BOE.533451 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 10.Blokhina I., Terskov A., Evsiukova A., et al. , “Photodynamic opening of the blood-brain barrier affects meningeal lymphatics and the brain’s drainage in healthy male mice,” Biomed. Opt. Express 15(10), 6063–6072 (2024). 10.1364/BOE.527892 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 11.Kang S. K., Kim K., Jeong J., et al. , “In silico full-angle high-dynamic range scattering of microscopic objects exploiting holotomography,” Biomed. Opt. Express 15(9), 5238–5250 (2024). 10.1364/BOE.528698 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 12.Periyasamy V., Gisi K., Pramanik M., “Ex vivo human teeth imaging with various photoacoustic imaging systems,” Biomed. Opt. Express 15(9), 5479–5490 (2024). 10.1364/BOE.531436 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 13.Khalid A., Dremin V., El-Tamer A., et al. , “Dual-mode OCT/fluorescence system for monitoring the morphology and metabolism of laser-printed 3D full-thickness skin equivalents,” Biomed. Opt. Express 15(11), 6299–6312 (2024). 10.1364/BOE.510610 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 14.Cui J., Villamil M., Schneider A. C., et al. , “Extended-period AOSLO imaging in the living human retina without pupil dilation: a feasibility study,” Biomed. Opt. Express 15(9), 4995–5008 (2024). 10.1364/BOE.531808 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]