Introductory Lecture From biomolecules to biodiagnostics: Spectroscopy does it all

Abstract

Optical spectroscopy and imaging have been used in medicine since medicine was first practised. However, the more sophisticated instrumental methods now under development have made little impact on clinical medicine. In this paper a brief overview of the development of optical diagnostics is presented, highlighted by some successful pre-clinical applications. The reasons for the slow penetration of optical diagnostics into clinical practice are discussed.