Biophotonics - Light for Life

Light has the potential to assist in the recognition of the origins of diseases as well as in their prevention or early and gentle treatment. Within the framework of the Biophotonics research priority, the BMBF supports numerous projects which are seeking to understand diseases by optical means. Researchers are committed to developing methods to find the causes of diseases such as cancer or infections and to improve the treatment of allergies.

Biophotonics research focuses on the use of the unique characteristics of light in the areas of biotechnology, medical technology, pharmaceutical technology and food production. Light enables us to watch microscopic processes, for example within living cells, in an extremely brief time span and a non-invasive form, i.e. without disturbing or influencing the process. Traditional diagnoses often take several weeks to provide results.

They are considerably less precise than light as only light possesses a large number of parameters e.g. its spectral characteristics such as wave length, phase, band width and intensity, pulse duration and ability to be focussed.

New pollen monitor enables more precise pollen flight forecast

The best countermeasure to allergies is avoiding allergens, such as specific foods or drugs. Biological allergens in nature, such as pollen or spores of fungi, however, are very difficult to avoid. A functioning and up-to-date information network, which is being developed by the BMBF-funded "OMNIBUSS" collaborative project, is required for better adapting countermeasures.

An important element of this information network is a new measuring station which was presented in early March: The "pollen monitor" analyses air automatically and identifies different pollen types by using optical technologies. So far, this analysis has been carried out under the microscope in a very time- and personnel-intensive way. The data obtained is then used for the pollen forecast of the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), a partner in the "OMNIBUSS" project, and can improve the quality of life of the about 12 million people in Germany who are allergic to pollen by means of more precise forecasts.

Progress in the treatment of cancer and infections

These characteristics are also decisive for the treatment of cancer. If tumours are recognized in an advanced stage only they may already have metastasized. The earlier treatment starts, the more likely that it will be successful. Optical technologies are making a major contribution to considerably improved early recognition. Researchers are currently working on an even better optical diagnosis of, for example, intestinal carcinoma or the visualization of lumps and sclerosis.

Light also plays an important role in fighting against infections. A rising incidence of resistance to antibiotics often makes treatment of these diseases difficult. Tuberculosis is particularly dangerous and about one third of the entire world population carries its pathogen. For researchers, it is important that pathogens are quickly and reliably identified. On the other hand, resistance to antibiotics must be recognized at an early stage. Fast growing pathogens can currently be identified by means of methods based on bacteria cultures. But it takes several hours or even days until a result is available. Researchers are therefore looking for new optical solutions which enable both the type of pathogen and resistances, if any, against antibiotics to be determined quickly.

Biophotonics as a driving force of innovation

However, biophotonics does not only play an important role in health research. It also has an enormous impact on growth and employment in Germany. Optical technologies can considerably increase productivity in pharmaceuticals research. Furthermore, they are important factors for innovation in medical technology.

The production volume of the German medical technology industry is about 14 billion Euro. This is 14 percent of the worldwide turnover of about 100 billion Euro. Industrialized nations have an annual growth rate of about five to seven percent. 50 percent of German medical technology are exported, and this is the basis of its international competitiveness.

In this area, there is a trend towards devices which are increasingly using optical sensors, fibre optics, diode lasers and LEDs as well as other optoelectronic technologies to improve diagnosis and therapy.

Objectives and measures

Efficient research in biophotonics presupposes interdisciplinary exchanges between medical scientists and natural scientists of different disciplines. In 2001, the BMBF initiated the "Biophotonics" funding initiative in order to increase these exchanges and to optimally use the present technology potential in Germany. About 20 million Euro have been made available for this initiative so far.

Research is being conducted, inter alia, on microscopic procedures, methods of optical spectroscopy, screening techniques in cellular systems as well as probe and marker technologies. Specific objectives of the research work are the early recognition of tumours, studies of a multi-purpose biochip reader for gene analysis, the detection of bacterial contamination and a rapid and reliable pollen forecast. Not least because of these activities, German researchers are internationally leading today in the area of biophotonics.

The second funding phase is starting in 2005. A total of 25 million Euro is earmarked for this. One important objective is to translate the outstanding results of German research institutions into innovative products and services by means of close cooperation with industry. The BMBF expects this to deliver considerable social and economic benefits for Germany.