About BIOP

Center for Biomedical Optics and New Laser Systems - BIOP

A joint initiative between the Technical University of Denmark, Danish university hospitals and Danish Industry

About BIOP

The Center for Biomedical Optics and New Laser Systems, BIOP, is a Danish initiative where engineers, physicists, chemists and physicians collaborate on the development of new biomedical applications based on the most recent progress in lasers and optical measurement techniques. The aim is to conduct research in advanced laser systems and optical measurement technologies and to apply these systems in a broad range of bio-medical applications, for example dermatology, ophthalmology and bio-sensing.

The BIOP center creates a strong Danish research activity within biomedical optics by gathering scientists from areas where Danish universities, Danish hospitals and Danish industry have already demonstrated results at a high scientific and international level. The BIOP center collaboration coordinates these activities and, furthermore, establishes the foundation for education of young scientists specialized in a combination of the fields of physics, optics, biology and medicine. 

The main purpose of the BIOP research program is to demonstrate and develop state-of-the-art diagnostic procedures as well as to improve therapeutic facilities at Danish hospitals. The collaboration will result in the development of novel biomedical applications of modern laser technology, including three-dimensional imaging in human tissue, blood flow visualization, non-invasive spectroscopy and fluorescence measurements for diagnostics and biosensors for measurements of concentrations of, e.g., glucose or proteins.

In the BIOP center five focus areas have been selected:

• Biomedical imaging systems
• New laser systems for diagnostic and therapeutic applications
• Optical tweezer systems
• Biomedical bio-sensing
• Biomedical image and data processing

The five focus areas all represent areas where Danish research and Danish industry have the possibility of obtaining internationally leading positions.

The interdisciplinary collaboration, the competence of the participants and their close relations with industry provide a firm basis for transferring results from basic research to applications of medical and commercial interest. This is beneficial to Danish high-technology industry and, moreover, brings new important aspects into basic research in lasers and modern optics.

Education in BIOP

In the BIOP center young scientists are offered coordinated training and education at graduate and Ph.D. levels within the areas of laser technology, imaging, medicine and biotechnology. One of the objectives of this approach is that the education of Ph.D. students takes place in close cooperation with the Danish business sector. A master course, "Biomedical optics", has been established, which is due to run every Spring semester at the Technical University of Denmark. At the Ph.D. level an international graduate school are organized.

In the BIOP center, a number of Ph.D. projects have been initiated since the start in  the year 2000 and they are all structured as inter-institutional collaborative efforts, i.e., the students spend equal amounts of time at the institutions involved whereby mobility is ensured. Moreover, permanently employed scientists will be given the possibility of using facilities at other institutions and participating in education, an initiative that will also contribute to further strengthening of mobility.

BIOP Graduate School

Under the BIOP Center, a graduate school entitled Biomedical Optics and New Laser Systems, has been initiated as a joint initiative between the Technical University of Denmark and Danish university hospitals, and funded by the Danish Research Agency.  The school started August 1, 2002, and received a five year extension in June 2005. The school has funding through 2010.

Purpose

The purpose of the BIOP Graduate School is to strengthen the educational efforts within the area of biomedical optics emphasizing use of lasers and optical methods for diagnostics, manipulation and therapy. In this new interdisciplinary research area, the focus of the school will be on strengthening research activities and educational efforts and on enhancing collaboration between the fundamental physical and technical sciences and the medical, clinical and biological sciences. 

The school has its own web site, where all information about activities and application forms for funding may be found. Follow this link to the BIOP Graduate School.

Organization

Participants in BIOP

The following departments from Technical University of Denmark and Danish university hospitals participate in the BIOP center:

• Department of Photonics Engineering, Technical University of Denmark
• Department of Mathematical Modelling, Technical University of Denmark
• Department of Physics (Optics Group), Technical University of Denmark
• Radiation Research Department, Risø DTU
• Department of Ophthalmology, Glostrup Hospital / University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen (Glostrup), Denmark
• Department of Dermatology, Roskilde Amts Sygehus, Roskilde, Denmark

BIOP's management team

• Paul Michael Petersen, Head of BIOP, Head of research programme, Lic.Techn.
  Dept. Photonics Engineering, Technical University of Denmark
• Michael Larsen, Deputy Head of BIOP, Professor, M.D.
  Department of Ophthalmology, Glostrup Hospital, Denmark
• Bjarne Ersbøll, Professor, Lic.Techn.
  Department of Mathematical Modelling, Technical University of Denmark
• Rasmus Larsen, Professor, Ph.D.
  Department of Mathematical Modelling, Technical University of Denmark
• Lars Lindvold, Senior Scientist, Ph.D.
  Radiation Research Dept, Risø DTU
• Peter Tidemand-Lichtenberg, Associate Professor
  Dept. Photonics Engineering, Technical University of Denmark
• Thomas M. Jørgensen, Senior Scientist, Ph.D.
  Dept. Photonics Engineering, Technical University of Denmark
• Peter E. Andersen, Senior scientist, Research Professor, Ph.D.
  Dept. Photonics Engineering, Technical University of Denmark
• Karsten Rottwitt, Associate Professor, Ph.D.
  Dept. Photonics Engineering, Technical University of Denmark
• Gregor Jemec, Professor, M.D.
  Department of Dermatology, Roskilde Amts Sygehus, Denmark

Collaborators

Collaborators from Danish university hospitals:

• Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen Hospital Gentofte, University of Copenhagen

Location

The secretariat of the BIOP research center is situated at DTU Fotonik in Roskilde. You may contact the BIOP secretariat or you may go to the staff pages to learn more about the BIOP staff.

Contact

BIOP Center
Dept. Photonics Engineering
Technical University of Denmark
Frederiksborgvej 399
P. O. Box 49
DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
Attn. Paul M. Petersen, head of research programme