Translational healthcare photonics

Translational Healthcare Photonics has had a renaissance in the UK over the last decade or so, fuelled by investments by both funding councils and venture capitalists. The funding – combined with investment in the area from universities – has resulted in a new generation of researchers keen to advance the field to address healthcare challenges. Photonics is well-placed to address some of the most pressing needs both nationally and globally, through a combination of diagnostic and treatment options enabled by novel technologies in sources, sensors and optical fibres.

The meeting brought together some of the best research in the UK and Europe, ranging from basic research into novel optical technologies to actual clinical trials. The community was further stimulated by the presence of several researchers who are engaged in commercialisation activities, often vital to fund the significant work required to take proven technologies into the clinic. There was outstanding interaction across this spectrum, between different technologies, and across career stages. Such interaction will be vital if we are to enable the benefits of current research to eventually benefit patient populations. We were fortunate to have outstanding weather, further encouraging informal interactions during the scheduled time in the beautiful outside environment. There was a general recognition of the need to accelerate translation of research into healthcare, while continuing to make the case for basic research in this area.

There was an extraordinary display of early career researcher talent on show, making it hard to select individuals to recognise for their work. Out of the numerous possible awardees, the organisers awarded Deepshikha Acharya, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, the Lord Selborne early career researcher prize for her presentation on improving cerebral health diagnostics. Jessica Grant, PhD Student at the University of Nottingham, received the Lord Selborne best PhD prize for her presentation on vibrational biospectroscopy for endometrial cancer detection.

Professor Jonathan Knight, University of Bath

Dr Robbie Murray, Imperial College London

Professor Robert Thomson, Heriot-Watt University