Editing Biophotonics (section)

==== Dermatology ====
By observing the numerous and complex interactions between light and biological materials, the field of biophotonics presents a unique set of diagnostic techniques that medical practitioners can utilize. Biophotonic imaging provides the field of [[dermatology]] with the only non-invasive technique available for diagnosing skin cancers. Traditional diagnostic procedures for skin cancers involve visual assessment and biopsy, but a new [[laser-induced fluorescence]] spectroscopy technique allow dermatologists to compare [[spectrograph]]s of a patient's skin with spectrographs known to correspond with malignant tissue. This provides doctors with earlier diagnosis and treatment options.<ref name=":0" />

"Among optical techniques, an emerging imaging technology based on laser scanning, the [[optical coherence tomography]] or OCT imaging is considered to be a useful tool to differentiate healthy from malignant skin tissue".{{attribution needed|date=June 2020}} The information is immediately accessible and eliminates the need for skin excision.<ref name=":0" /> This also eliminates the need for the skin samples to be processed in a lab which reduces labor costs and processing time.

Furthermore, these optical imaging technologies can be used during traditional surgical procedures to determine the boundaries of lesions to ensure that the entirety of the diseased tissue is removed. This is accomplished by exposing [[nanoparticle]]s that have been dyed with a fluorescing substance to the acceptable light photons.<ref name=":1" /> Nanoparticles that are functionalized with fluorescent dyes and marker proteins will congregate in a chosen tissue type. When the particles are exposed to wavelengths of light that correspond to the fluorescent dye, the unhealthy tissue glows. This allows for the attending surgeon to quickly visually identify boundaries between healthy and unhealthy tissue, resulting in less time on the operating table and higher patient recovery. "Using dielectrophoretic microarray devices, nanoparticles and DNA biomarkers were rapidly isolated and concentrated onto specific microscopic locations where they were easily detected by epifluorescent microscopy".{{attribution needed|date=June 2020|reason=The text should say who said this.}}<ref name=":0" />