UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES
For more photonics conference, check out these sites.
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RT @ASPhotobiology: This week's shout-out goes to our past and current presidents - Dr. Georg Wondrak and Dr. Keith Cengel! These two… https://t.co/AJdaFDrRkG -
Medium-term Follow-up of Vascular-targeted Photodynamic Therapy of Localized Prostate Cancer Using TOOKAD Soluble W… https://t.co/MQ9Gdj6NDV
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RT @aslmsedu: Congratulations to Mathew M. Avram, MD, JD; H. Ray Jalian, MD, and Serge R. Mordon, PhD on a successful #ASLMS2018… https://t.co/3hIYKTygsz
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RT @IDL2018: THINK: without light, many things we have would not exist CONSIDER: with light, look how far we have reached IMAGIN… https://t.co/2TWnE9JbKW
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RT @ASPhotobiology: Heading into #photobio2018, Mondays will be used for ASP shout-outs! Today, we thank Dr. Doug Learn, Charles River… https://t.co/cQ2OJmiWDM
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RT @EurSocPhotobiol: 5th ESP PHOTOBIOLOGY SCHOOL 10-16 June, 2018 Deadline for registration and payment: 30 April 2018.… https://t.co/9jnKzSZdpS
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RT @aslmsedu: The conference tote bags are being assembled. #ASLMS2018 #aslms https://t.co/1fD6dyL9EG https://t.co/isN6xjsfxl
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RT @EurSocPhotobiol: We are pleased to announce that a number of Travel Fellowships up to 700 EURO are available to young photobiologist… https://t.co/oTlZtQw5Qq
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Make a difference in science, education and sustainable development. International Day of Light official video.… https://t.co/89az4hqdWS
International Photodynamic Association (IPA)
The IPA was founded in 1986 with membership consisting of prominent international scientists, health care professionals, students, and fellows researching photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photodiagnosis (PD). The IPA's purpose is to promote the study of diagnosis and treatment using light activated photosensitisers and to disseminate scientific information to its members, the research community, and to the community at large. The IPA organizes a Biennial World Congress, providing a unique opportunity to share data and listen to cutting edge discoveries surrounding PDT.
WHAT IS PDT and PD?
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) employs light-sensitive compounds known as photosenstizers (PSs) that when exposed selectively to light in conjunction with molecular oxygen become toxic to cells resulting in cell death. Many PSs exist today including: cationic dyes such as methylene blue, tetrapyrrole derivatives (phthalocyanines, chlorins, porphyrins), chlorophyll derivatives, and functionalized fullerenes.
PDT, a minimally invasive treatment option, is used to treat many conditions including: acne, psoriasis, age related macular degeneration, and several cancers such as skin, lung, brain, bladder, bile-duct, esophageal, and head and neck cancers. PDT is also proven to eradicate pathogenic microorganisms Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and fungi.
Photodiagnosis (PD), also known as Photodynamic Diagnosis (PDD) is the use of light-sensitive compounds to indicate the presence of cancerous or diseased tissue. The same photosensitizers that are used for the treatment of cancer can also assist in its diagnosis. The emitted fluorescence from the activated photosensitizer can be used to differentiate cancerous from normal tissue guiding physicians during surgical resection.
To learn more about the basics of photomedicine, the American Society for Photobiology (ASP) has a great free resource available on line.
