Full details of the newly launched two day biophotonics meeting programme for Photonex 2011 are now available on the web: www.photonex.org/conference.

Biophotonics is perhaps the fastest growing field of interest at this year's Photonex event. To meet this demand, the organisers are pleased to announce four sessions covering the topics of sensing, analytical techniques and photonics in healthcare. The overall programme is chaired by Professor Duncan Graham, a leading researcher in sensor technology, He is based at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow and is the Head of Research and the Director of WestCHEM, the joint Research School of Chemistry for the West of Scotland. He will talk about his many research interests including the application of Raman scattering to study functionalised metallic nanoparticles to aid the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

His co-chair is Dr Pete Tomlins from the Centre for Diagnostic and Oral Sciences at the University of London. He is presenting his work applying the fast-growing technique of optical coherence tomography to understand the interaction of light with human tissue and determining the diagnostic value of different optical parameters.

With no fewer than twenty presentations over two days, this free programme represents a brilliant opportunity to hear a broad overview of how biophotonics is being successfully exploited. Leading instrument companies such as Agilent, Bruker, JPK and Ocean Optics will talk about how they have developed new tools for the characterisation of optical processes while leading academics will discuss how they are investigating practical solutions to a broad range of medical and biological problems. There is even a talk from NICE, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, showing how the health industry evaluates new devices and technologies for use within the NHS which underscores the value of the whole field of biophotonics.

Potential attendees for the Biophotonics programme are encouraged to visit the Photonex website (www.photonex.org) and register their attendance today. With a complementary equipment exhibition with over 100 companies expected in Coventry, the 2011 event looks like becoming another big success for the burgeoning UK photonics industry.

Running in parallel is a meeting focused on the very latest vacuum and related technologies and innovations for applications in science and industry. Vacuum Expo 2011 will provide an unequalled business environment for the effective and meaningful transfer of information and knowledge within the field of vacuum, thin film and nanoscale technologies.