International Photodynamic Association (IPA)

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International Photodynamic Association

UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES

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2019 ASP Presidential Evening Symposium
International Photodynamic Association (IPA) World Congress
World Congress on Light and Life: Joint 17th International Congress on Photobiology & 18th Congress of the European Society for Photobiology

For more photonics conference, check out these sites. 

SPIE Conferences

IEEE Photonics Society  

The Optical Society (OSA)

          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.

 
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Please join us for the

17th International Photodynamic Association World Congress #IPABoston2019

Bringing together researchers and clinicians in all fields of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photodiagnosis (PD) since 1986. Every two years, the IPA organizes a conference to foster scientific development and contribute to clinical practice. The 17th IPA World Congress in conjunction with SPIE will be in Cambridge, MA from June 28 - July 4, 2019. We welcome you to Boston in 2019.

Conference Chair: Tayyaba Hasan, PhD - Professor at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Harvard Medical School and a Professor of Health Sciences and Technology (Harvard-MIT).

Awards for excellence in Photodynamic Research and Practice to be announced at the IPA Congress. Nominations now open through May 1, 2019.


 
 

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.

 
 

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