Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp Wednesday 17.06.2009 10:00 am  - 10:15 am Keynote: Visions for future diagnostics Forum Hall B1, Stand 159 German Biophotonics Research Program   Hall B1, Stand 141

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp is Professor for Physical Chemistry, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Scientific Director of the Institute of Photonic Technology and coordinator of the main research "Biophotonic" supported by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
 
 
In general, it is expected that biophotonics will result in major changes in our health system over the coming years. What can we expect to see in the not too distant future?  

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp,  Institute of Photonic Technology, University Jena

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp: In particular, improved diagnostics for widespread diseases such as cancer and infections. With optical processes we can recognize these sooner, more accurately and less invasively than in the past. This increases the chances of a successful cure and doctors can initiate more targeted therapies.
 
In which areas of medicine, environmental technology and the life sciences are biophotonic equipment and processes already used in everyday practice?

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp: There are many examples. Optical processes have been used routinely in medical diagnosis for a long time; in the microscopic assessment of tumor tissue, for example. More recent successes in biophotonics include processes such as fluorescence endoscopy and optical tomography. They already allow non-invasive examinations of the patient where, in the past, tissue had to be removed. This also improves the therapy, for example, surgeons can already be certain that the treatment will be a success while they are operating. But photonic methods are already making inroads into therapy itself, because they can be used so precisely and non-invasively. For instance, eye diseases can be treated very specifically with laser surgery or photodynamic therapy. The latter also helps combat skin and cancer diseases.
 
Microscopy and spectroscopy have been used in medicine for some time. What inventions ultimately led to biophotonics achieving this level of superiority?  

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp: These days, we are able to understand cellular processes much more clearly than we could several years ago. This has come about due to the combined use of microscopy and spectroscopy that allows multi-dimensional, molecular imaging. The new high-resolution microscopy processes also have great potential. They will soon allow us to observe cellular processes with a previously unknown level of clarity and in real time. This promises great advances in medical diagnostics, since many serious diseases, such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease, make themselves noticeable on a molecular level well before the first symptoms become obvious.
 
The pronounced cross-disciplinary character is one of the major challenges in the field of biophotonics research. How do you get medical practitioners, scientists and engineers to sit down together? In this respect, how important is an event such as LASER World of PHOTONICS?  

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp: In Germany, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) paved the way for this with a funding initiative. Within the scope of the Biophotonics research priority it brings users and engineers together in joint research projects. In this network, but also on a European level, we are working towards expediting the expert dialogue across different projects. For example, with the research priority we organize an annual symposium, which will take place for the second time in 2009 at LASER. This time, in the workshop series called "Visions for Future Diagnostics" we plan to discuss users' needs and technological innovations.
 
The German federal government recognized the major social and economic importance of biophotonics at an early stage and already in 2001 started funding biophotonics as a research priority. Since 2007, eight more projects have taken the research into the third round of funding. Can we expect to see the first concrete examples at LASER World of PHOTONICS?  

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp: Yes, we will be showing exhibits from the areas of medical diagnostics, cell biology, and environmental monitoring. For example, a fluorescence endoscope for non-invasive cancer diagnostics, a microscope to investigate cells in their natural environment, and a device that detects bacteria in room air immediately.

You are the coordinator of the European Network of Excellence for biophotonics, "photonics4life", which was founded last year by 13 European research facilities. How would you describe the cooperation with the "more industry-based" European technology platform "Photonics21"? 

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp: Photonics21 recruits about half its members from industry; however, the other members come from universities and research institutions. Many photonics4life partners are active in the Work Group 3, "Life Sciences and Health". In addition to the annual conferences, which are always held in Brussels, Belgium, we were also able to organize the last two work group meetings in Jena, Germany. The next meeting is scheduled for the end of May at another photonics4life partner's premises, Istituto di Fisica Applicata in Florence, Italy.

Finally, perhaps you could give us a brief outlook of the coming trends in biophotonics. What areas of research are still in their infancy? Which technical hurdles will have to be overcome in future?

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp: One of the greatest challenges is processing the wealth of information that we are now able to gain from biological samples using optical methods: What information is really relevant for medicine, how can we present this in a manner that suits our needs? These questions can be answered only when medical practitioners, scientists, and engineers work closely together.
 
Thank you for the interview.

More information

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp Institut für Photonische Technologien Wissenschaftlicher Direktor Albert-Einsteinstr. 9 (Campus Beutenberg) D-07745 Jena Tel.: +49 (0) 3641/206-300 Fax: +49 (0) 3641/206-399 E-mail: juergen.popp@ipht-jena.de Website: www.biophotonik.org