In this episode, Darren Roblyer and Travis Sawyer talk to Dr. Guosong Hong about his award-winning work in the realm of biophotonics, specifically his groundbreaking research on optical clearing. Through innovative use of absorbing molecules, Guosong and his team have developed methods to achieve optical transparency in living tissues, allowing for deeper and sharper imaging. This approach could transform applications like skin cancer diagnosis and vision restoration.

Guosong also shares insights into his latest project, which involves using biocompatible mechanoluminescent materials to convert sound waves into light—the opposite of photoacoustics. This "acousto-optics" approach allows for non-invasive light delivery deep within the body.

We also dive into why Guosong keeps a copy of Bohren and Huffman (1983) on his desk. He shares how classical texts helped spark his latest innovations and why the future of biophotonics might actually be found in the fundamentals of the past.

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have unveiled vital insights into the structure of the human uncinate fasciculus, a significant white matter tract linking the anterior temporal lobe to the orbitofrontal cortex. Their findings not only mark the first detailed characterization of this critical brain connection but also illustrate the promise of advanced imaging techniques in understanding human neurobiology.

Read the article: https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/journals/biophotonics-discovery/volume-3/issue-02/025002/Ultrastructural-analysis-of-human-uncinate-fasciculus-with-coherent-anti-Stokes/10.1117/1.BIOS.3.2.025002.full

In a new study, researchers have demonstrated that athree-layer tissue model significantly enhances the ability to accurately analyze cerebral hemodynamics using functional dual-slope frequency-domain near-infrared spectroscopy, or “eff neers”.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy has become a key toolin monitoring brain activity due to its non-invasive nature. However, signal contamination from superficial tissues, like the scalp and skull, can severely complicate the analysis, muddling the target-signals emanating from the brain.This study addresses this crucial challenge by validating a three-layer model that effectively accounts for these complications.

Read the article: https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/journals/biophotonics-discovery/volume-3/issue-02/025003/Functional-dual-slope-frequency-domain-near-infrared-spectroscopy-data-interpreted/10.1117/1.BIOS.3.2.025003.full