XI International Workshop on EPR in Biology and Medicine

The main goal of prof. Maciej Wojtkowski's visit was to present a lecture: “In vivo eye imaging. To see the morphology and the function” within a section: Advanced spectroscopy and microscopy methods. The lecture was presented on the invitation of the organizers. XIth International Workshop on Applications of EPR in Biology and Medicine was designed to stimulate interest in young and experienced researchers in EPR technology development, applications of EPR to understanding biological problems and in the application of spin and fluorescence probes, and techniques for the detection of reactive intermediates in free radical biology and medicine. Prominent researchers from around the world met to present lectures and discuss a wide range of topics.

Prof. Wojtkowski’s lecture presented possibilities and perspectives of developing new diagnostic methods and tools dedicated to following the progression and treatment of degenerative diseases in the context of the enormous global impact of blindness and visual impairment, especially in the aging population. Existing techniques are unable to provide high-quality reconstructions of important types of cells in vivo. Prof. Wojtkowski and his team focus on the development of new methods for repeated, safe retinal imaging to assess morphological and functional aspects of individual cells of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium. The main research efforts concentrate on two complementary optical imaging techniques that are the best candidates to achieve the experimental goals: advanced two-photon ophthalmoscopy and a speckle-less optical coherence tomography (OCT).  Currently, they are working on the development of a novel, speckle-less OCT technique that will enable us to visualize retinal microstructure at the cellular level. Along with novel measurements of retinal function, new diagnostic tools will offer major advantages for the early detection and monitoring of treatments for human blinding retinal diseases. These novel instruments will allow early detection of age- and disease-related changes in the retina long before they become discernible by existing methods.

Dates

7-8 Oct. 2019

Location

Cracow, Poland

Participant

Maciej Wojtkowski

Organizers

Jagiellonian University in Kraków

Medical College of Wisconsin

Polish Academy of Art and Sciences

More information about the event.