UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES
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https://t.co/zKFrfnNrOV : SPIE Homepage : SPIE-Hillenkamp Fellowship https://t.co/zCpOhX8CMF -
$75,000 SPIE-Franz Hillenkamp Fellowship for postdocs in #biophotonics & #biomedical optics, #photodynamic.… https://t.co/mLKdxY9Q44
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International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP) July 1-6, Munich Germany https://t.co/66PH6GBkBW
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The Handbook of Porphyrin Science https://t.co/mlxQCD9AVR
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Five-Year Visual Outcome and Visual Prognostic Factors after #Photodynamic Therapy with Verteporfin for Idiopathic. https://t.co/e4hLVDieo7
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Using design thinking to cope with chronic illness https://t.co/tWrwO41Hm5
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Today is #WorldCancerResearchDay, an opportunity to recognize the scientific advances that stem from cancer researc… https://t.co/LMDNsKqxJ6
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RT @SPIEtweets: The SPIE International Day of Light Photo Contest closes today! There is still time to submit a photo.… https://t.co/IwI4lZ5FDn
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RT @PhotonicStartup: SPIE's Startup Challenge competition is open until 13 Nov. Please share with #optics entrepreneurs - https://t.co/bNMEDtLtSh
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.
