Journal of Biomedical Optics

Editor-in-Chief: Brian W. Pogue, University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA

Journal of Biomedical Optics (JBO) is a Gold Open Access journal that publishes peer-reviewed papers on the use of novel optical systems and techniques for improved health care and biomedical research.

On the cover: Multimodal fluorescence and phase imaging of a HeLa cell under a commercially available confocal microscope without any modification of optics (from the article "Transport-of-intensity phase imaging using commercially available confocal microscope" by N. Yoneda et al., in Volume 29 Issue 11)

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Calls for Papers
How to Submit a Manuscript

Regular papers: Submissions of regular papers are always welcome.

Special section papers: Open calls for papers are listed below. A cover letter indicating that the submission is intended for a particular special section should be included with the paper.

To submit a paper, please prepare the manuscript according to the journal guidelines and use the online submission systemLeaving site. All papers will be peer‐reviewed in accordance with the journal's established policies and procedures. JBO is a Gold Open Access journal. Authors of accepted papers will be required to pay an article processing charge of $1675. Discounts may apply. Click here for more details.

Honoring Brian C. Wilson, Pioneer in Biomedical Optics
Publication Date
2025
Submission Deadline
1 July 2025
Editors

University of Toronto (Canada)
Lothar.Lilge@uhn.ca

University of Nevada Las Vegas (USA)
steen.madsen@unlv.edu

University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA)
bpogue@wisc.edu

University of Toronto (Canada)
Alex.Vitkin@uhn.ca

Scope

An early pioneer in the techniques for biomedical optics and biophotonics, Professor Brian Wilson has shaped and guided the field in basic science discoveries and first-in-human translational studies. Dr. Wilson’s career was shaped by seminal academic contributions in both diagnostics and therapeutics, supporting strategic spin-offs into commercial successes, and educating a wide network of students and collaborators who themselves now shape the field.

His early work in light dosimetry for photodynamic led to early theoretical discoveries about the nature of light–tissue interactions, tissue simulating phantoms, fiber optic delivery systems, use of novel detector systems, and advanced microscopy methods. His fostering of clinical trials and leadership into novel photodynamic probes led to the expansive field of targeted tracers and therapeutics which incorporates chemistry, nanomedicine, pharmaceutical science, and toxicology.  

Many features of this work have now permeated across the world, through friendly and supportive collaborations based upon advancing the science of the field. Throughout all this, he has been a major supporter of institutions that advance the science of photomedicine, photophysics, biophotonics, and biomedical optics. This special issue of the Journal of Biomedical Optics is devoted to celebrating his long and ongoing, inspiring career, which shapes academic research through discoveries, inventions, trainees, and colleagues.

Contributions are welcome in the form of Reviews, Perspectives, or original scientific manuscripts in all relevant areas, but especially:

  • Photodynamic therapy
  • Photodynamic diagnostics
  • Fluorescence guided surgery
  • Light-tissue interactions
  • Theory and modeling of light in tissue
  • Tissue phantoms
  • Photodynamic nanomedicine
  • Dosimetry & singlet oxygen
  • Two-photon microscopy
  • Raman spectroscopy in humans
  • Diffuse optical imaging 
  • Translational medical biophotonics

All submissions will be peer reviewed. Peer review will commence immediately upon manuscript submission, with a goal of making a first decision within six weeks of manuscript submission. Each paper is published online as soon as the copyedited and typeset proofs are approved by the author.

Submissions should follow the JBO author guidelines. Manuscripts should be submitted online at https://jbo.msubmit.net. A cover letter indicating that the submission is intended for this special issue should be included.

; JBO Call For Papers Honoring Brian Wilson, Pioneer in Biomedical Optics
Metabolic Imaging and Spectroscopy
Publication Date
2025
Submission Deadline
31 December 2024
Editors
Lin Z. Li

University of Pennsylvania, USA
linli@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

University of Pennsylvania, USA
yodh@physics.upenn.edu

Scope

JBO Britton Chance Call For Papers

July 2024 marks the Third Britton Chance International Symposium on Metabolic Imaging and Spectroscopy at University of Pennsylvania honoring the memory and 110th birthday of Professor Britton Chance. Chance was a prolific and legendary scientist who made pioneering contributions in the fields of radar, biochemistry, and biophysics, and who was a founding father of in vivo NMR and biomedical photonics. His research activities spanned physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, and medicine with aims to generate new understanding about tissue function and disease, and dreams to impact health science and clinical translation.

This JBO special issue welcomes submissions on topics in this spirit, e.g., focused on biomedical photonics and optical imaging/spectroscopy of tissue metabolism and related concepts. A range of topics can be explored, spanning from technical development, translation and clinical application of metabolic/functional imaging, and spectroscopy methods for disease detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

All submissions will be peer reviewed. Peer review will commence immediately upon manuscript submission, with a goal of making a first decision within six weeks of manuscript submission. Each paper is published online as soon as the copyedited and typeset proofs are approved by the author.

Submissions should follow the JBO author guidelines. Manuscripts should be submitted online at https://jbo.msubmit.net. A cover letter indicating that the submission is intended for this special issue should be included.

Published Special Sections

Special Issue on Molecular Guided Surgery (in progress, 2025)
Editors: Summer Gibbs, Sylvain Gioux, and Brian W. Pogue

Special Section on Hyperspectral Imaging (in progress; Part 1, September 2024)
Editors: Baowei Fei, Jeeseong Hwang, and Matija Milanič

Special Issue on Pulse Oximetry: 50 Years of Inventions and Discoveries in Biomedical Optics (in progress, 2024)
Editors: Jana M. Kainerstorfer, Kenneth M. Tichauer, Ton van Leeuwen, Arjun G. Yodh, and Brian W. Pogue

Special Issue Honoring Gabriel Popescu, Pioneer in Biomedical Optics (in progress, 2024)
Editors: Randy A. Bartels, Stephen A. Boppart, and Kevin W. Eliceiri

Special Issue Honoring Lihong V. Wang, Pioneer in Biomedical Optics (2024)
Editors: Xueding Wang, Mark Anastasio, Hao Zhang, Sava Sakadzic, Song Hu, and Liang Gao

Polarimetry in Biomedical Optics ( Part 1, October 2023; Part 2, May 2024)
Editors: Alex Vitkin, Nirmalya Gosh, and Jessica C. Ramella-Roman

Selected Topics in Biophotonics: Translating Novel Photonics Technology into Clinical Applications (December 2023)
Editors: Stefan Andersson-Engels and Peter E. Andersen

Short Wave Infrared Techniques and Applications in Biomedical Optics (September 2023)
Editors: Daniel Fried, Mark Pierce, and Darren Roblyer

Seeing Inside Tissue with Optical Molecular Probes (August 2023)
Editors: Nada Boustany, Mark Niedre, and Manojit Pramanik

30 Years of Open Source Monte Carlo Codes in Biomedical Optics (August 2022)
Editors: Qianqian Fang, Fabrizio Martelli, and Lothar Lilge

Tissue Phantoms to Advance Biomedical Optical Systems (July 2022)
Editors: Dimitris Gorpas, T. Joshua Pfefer, and Heidrun Wabnitz

Wearable, Implantable, Mobile, and Remote Biomedical Optics & Photonics (August 2020 - June 2021)
Editors: Jessica Ramella-Roman, Amir H. Gandjbakhche, Stephen C. Kanick, Babak Shadgan, and Bruce J. Tromberg

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning in Biomedical Optics (September 2020 - May 2021)
Editors: Behrouz Shabestri, Mark A. Anastasio, Baowei Fei, and Frédéric Leblond

Advances in Terahertz Biomedical Science and Applications (December 2020 - April 2021)
Editors: Kirill I. Zaytsev, Vladimir N. Kurlov, Maksim Skorobogatiy, Igor V. Reshetov, and Valery V. Tuchin

Biomedical Imaging and Sensing III (two-part series: December 2020 and March 2021)
Editors: Toyohiko Yatagai, Osamu Matoba, Yoshihisa Aizu, Yasuhiro Awatsuji, Osamu Matoba, and Yuan Luo

Selected Topics in Biophotonics: Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging and Optical Micromechanics (July 2020) 
Editors: Stefan Andersson-Engels and Peter E. Andersen

Photodynamic Therapy (June 2020)
Editors: Kimberley S. Samkoe, Jonathan P. Celli, Timothy C. Zhu

Biomedical Imaging and Sensing II (March 2020)
Editors: Toyohiko Yatagai, Yasuhiro Awatsuji, Osamu Matoba, Yuan Luo, and Yoshihisa Aizu

Celebrating Thirty Years of Multiphoton Microscopy in the Biomedical Sciences (January 2020)
Editors: Ammasi Periasamy, Karsten König, and Peter T.C. So

Celebrating the Exponential Growth of Biomedical Optoacoustic/Photoacoustic Imaging (December 2019)
Editors: Mark Anastasio, Paul Beard, Alexander A. Oraevsky, and Lihong V. Wang

Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging (July 2019)
Editors: David Cuccia, Anthony Durkin, Sylvain Gioux, Amaan Mazhar, and Bruce Tromberg

Metabolic Imaging and Spectroscopy: Britton Chance 105th Birthday Commemorative (May 2019)
Editors: Lin Z. Li, Arjun G. Yodh, and David Busch

Biomedical Imaging and Sensing (March 2019)
Editors: Toyohiko Yatagai, Yasuhiro Awatsuji, Osamu Matoba, Yuan Luo, and Yoshihisa Aizu

Translational Biophotonics (February 2019)
Editors: Bruce J. Tromberg, Gabriela Apiou, Markus Kleeman, and Regina Choe

Laser-Tissue Interaction and Optical Properties of Biological Tissues: Honoring Prof. Steven Jacques, a Pioneer in Biomedical Optics (December 2018)
Editors: Jessica Ramella-Roman, Andreas Hielscher, and Lihong V. Wang

Topical Problems of Biophotonics: from Optical Bioimaging to Clinical Biophotonics (September 2018)
Editors: Mikhail Kirillin, Kirill Larin, Ilya Turchin, and Valery Tuchin

Selected Topics in Biophotonics: Optogenetics and Label-Free Optical Spectroscopy (July 2018)
Editors: Stefan Andersson-Engels and Peter E. Andersen

White Papers in Biophotonics (February 2018)
Editor: David Sampson

25 years of OCT (December 2017)
Editors: David Sampson, Peter Andersen, Ton van Leeuwen, and Ricky Wang

Translational Biophotonics (December 2017)
Editors: Bruce Tromberg, Gabriela Apiou, Darren Roblyer, and Aaron Aguirre

Advanced Laser Technologies for Biophotonics (September 2017)
Editors: Martin J. Leahy, Tia E. Keyes, Valery V. Tuchin, and Alexander V. Priezzhev

Photoacoustic Imaging and Sensing (April 2017)
Editors: Mark A. Anastasio, Paul C. Beard, and Qing Zhu

Translational Biophotonics (2016)
Editors: Bruce Tromberg, Gabriela Apiou, Kristen Kelly, and Conor L. Evans

Adaptive Optics and Wavefront Control for Biological Systems (December 2016)
Editors: Thomas G. Bifano, Joel A. Kubby, and Sylvain Gigan

Optical Diagnostic and Biophotonic Methods from Bench to Bedside (October 2016)
Editors: Amir Gandjbakhche, Bruce Tromberg, Israel Gannot, Jana M. Kainerstorfer, and Fatima Chowdhry

Clinical Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Imaging (September 2016)
Editors: Marco Ferrari, Joseph P. Culver, Yoko Hoshi, and Heidrun Wabnitz

Tissue and Blood Optical Clearing for Biomedical Applications (August 2016)
Editors: Dan Zhu, Bernard Choi, Elina Genina, Valery V. Tuchin

Polarized Light for Biomedical Applications (July 2016)
Editors: Igor Meglinski, Tatiana Novikova, Jessica C. Ramella-Roman, and Valery V. Tuchin

Selected Topics in Biophotonics: Photoacoustic Tomography and Fiber-Based Lasers and Supercontinuum Sources (June 2016)
Editors: Stefan Andersson-Engels and Peter E. Andersen

Optical Medical Imaging Standards (December 2015)
Editors: David W. Allen, Maritoni Litorja, and Jeeseong Hwang

Quantitative Phase Imaging in Biomedicine (November 2015)
Editors: Gabriel Popescu and YongKeun Park

Protein Photonics for Imaging, Sensing, and Manipulation: Honoring Prof. Osamu Shimomura, a Pioneer of Photonics for Biomedical Research (October 2015)
Editors: Katsumasa Fujita, Takeharu Nagai, Nathan Shaner, and Alexnader Egner

Light for Life: International Year of Light 2015 (June 2015)
Editors: Rainer Leitgeb, Katarina Svanberg, Nimmi Ramanujam, Jürgen Popp, and Peter Andersen

Laser Applications in Life Sciences (May 2015)
Editors: Alexander V. Priezzhev, Herbert Schneckenburger, and Valery V. Tuchin

Vibrational Spectroscopy and Imaging (November 2014)
Editors: Anita Mahadevan-Jansen, Michael D. Morris, and Wolfgang Petrich

Biomimetic and Bioinspired Materials for Applications in Biophotonics (October 2014)
Editors: Bahman Anvari, Pablo del Pino, Vikas Kundra, and Wolfgang Parak

Selected Topics in Biophotonics: Optical Coherence Tomography and Biomolecular Imaging with Coherent Raman Scattering Microscopy (July 2014)
Editors: Stefan Andersson-Engels and Peter E. Andersen

Nanobio-Based Optical Sensing and Imaging (May 2014)
Editors: Min-Gon Kim, Woo Keun Song, Kun Ho Lee, and Bahman Anvari

Optical Coherence Tomography and Interferometry: Advanced Engineering and Biomedical Applications (February 2014)
Editors: Valery V. Tuchin, Kirill V. Larin, and Alex Vitkin

Advanced Biomedical Imaging and Sensing (January 2014)
Editors: Chi-Kuang Sun, Arthur Chiou, Fu-Jen Kao, Chien Chou, and Chen-Yuan Dong

Special Section on Optical Elastography and Measurement of Tissue Biomechanics (December 2013)
Editors: Ruikang K. Wang, David D. Sampson, Stephen A. Boppart, and Brendan F. Kennedy

Optical Imaging, Sensing, and Light Interactions in Cells and Tissues (November 2013)
Editors: Natan T. Shaked, Shy Shoham, Bruce J. Tromberg, and Israel Gannot

Special Section on Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Honoring Prof. Roger Tsien, a Pioneer in Biomedical Optics (October 2013)
Editors: Vasilis Ntziachristos, Samuel Achilefu, Yingxiao Peter Wang, and Michael Lin

Optical Methods of Imaging in the Skin (June 2013)
Editor: Jürgen Lademann

Multiphoton Microscopy: Technical Innovations, Biological Applications, and Clinical Diagnostics (March 2013)
Editors: Paul J. Campagnola, Chen-Yuan Dong, Karsten Koenig, Jerome Mertz, Peter T. C. So, Chris Xu

Laser Technologies for Biomedical Applications (October 2012)
Editors: Ekaterina Borisova, Herbert Schneckenburger, Alexander Priezzhev

Optical Diagnostic and Biophotonic Methods from Bench to Bedside (August 2012)
Editors: Amir Gandjbakhche, Jana M. Kainerstorfer, and Bruce Tromberg

Selected Topics in Biophotonics: Optical Coherence Tomography and Medical Imaging Using Diffuse Optics (July 2012)
Editors: Stefan Andersson-Engels and Peter E. Andersen

Photoacoustic Imaging and Sensing (June 2012)
Editors: Mark A. Anastasio and Paul C. Beard

Endomicroscopy Technologies and Biomedical Applications (February 2012)
Editors: Xingde Li and Warren S. Grundfest

FRET at 65 (January 2012)
Editors: Ammasi Periasamy, Steven S. Vogel, and Robert M. Clegg

Hard-Tissue Optics and Related Methods (July 2011)
Editors: Daniel Fried, Andreas Mandelis, and Michael Morris

Photonics and Nanotechnology in Biophysics and Biomedical Research (May 2011)
Editors: Bahman Anvari, Raoul Kopelman, and Luke P. Lee

Coherent Raman Imaging Techniques and Biomedical Applications (February 2011)
Editors: Eric O. Potma, Ji-Xin Cheng, and X. Sunney Xie

Pioneers in Biomedical Optics: Michael Feld (January 2011)
Editors: Ramachandra Dasari, Rebecca Richards-Kortum, and Andrew Berger

Optical Diagnostic and Biophotonic Methods from Bench to Bedside (November/December 2010)
Editors: Amir Gandjbakhche, Bruce Tromberg, and Jana Maria Kainerstorfer

Pioneers in Biomedical Optics: Prof. Tayyaba Hasan (September/October 2010)
Editors: Brian W. Pogue, Georges A. Wagnieres, and Lothar D. Lilge

Selected Topics in Biophotonics: Photodynamic Therapy and Optical Micromanipulation for Biophotonics (July/August 2010)
Editors: Stefan Andersson-Engels and Peter E. Andersen

Photons Plus Ultrasound: Imaging and Sensing (March/April 2010)
Editors: Lihong V. Wang and Alexander A. Oraevsky

Optical Methods in Vascular Biology and Medicine (January/February 2010)
Editors: Bernard Choi, Brett Bouma, Dai Fukumura, and Rakesh K. Jain

Nanophotonics for Diagnostics, Protection, and Treatment of Cancer and Inflammatory Diseases (March/April 2009)
Editors: Valery V. Tuchin, Rebekah Drezek, Shuming Nie, and Vladimir P. Zharov

Selected Topics in Biophotonics: Diffuse Optics and Optical Molecular Imaging (July/August 2008)
Editors: Stefan Andersson-Engels and Peter E. Andersen

Visible Fluorescent Proteins (May/June 2008)
Editors: Alberto "Alby" Diaspro and Ammasi Periasamy

Optical Clearing of Tissues and Cells (March/April 2008)
Editors: Valery V. Tuchin, Ruikang K. Wang, and Alvin T. Yeh

Small-Animal Optical Imaging (January/February 2008)
Editors: Vasilis Ntziachristos, Joseph P. Culver, and Bradley W. Rice

Pioneers in Biomedical Optics: Honoring F.F. Jobsis (November/December 2007)
Editors: David T. Delpy, Marco Ferrari, Claude A. Piantadosi, and Mamoru Tamura

Optical Diagnostic Imaging from Bench to Bedside (September/October 2007)
Editors: Amir Gandjbakhche and Abby Vogel

Optical Coherence Tomography in Ophtalmology (July/August 2007)
Editors: Wolfgang Drexler and James G. Fujimoto

Photonics in the Auditory System (March/April 2007)
Editors: Bahman Anvari, William E. Brownell, Dennis M. Freeman, and Mats Ulfendahl

Pioneers in Biomedical Optics: Honoring Professor Ashley J. Welch (July/August 2006)
Editors: E. Duco Jansen and Sohi Rastegar

Cardiovascular Photonics (March/April 2006)
Editors: Laura Marcu, Guillermo J. Tearney, and Kenton W. Gregory

Optical Diagnostic Imaging from Bench to Bedside (September/October 2005)
Editors: Amir Gandjbakhche and Israel Gannot

Chemical and Genetic Sensors in Biomedical Research (July/August 2005)
Editors: Samuel Achilefu, Christopher H. Contag, Alexander P. Savitsky, and Ralph Weissleder

Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy (May/June 2005)
Editors: Michael D. Morris, Andrew Berger, and Anita Mahadevan-Jansen

Optics in Neuroscience (January/February 2005)
Editors: David A. Boas, Ph.D. and Ron D. Frostig, Ph.D.

Optics in Breast Cancer (November 2004)
Editors: Sergio Fantini, Ph.D., K. Thomas Moesta, M.D., and Brian W. Pogue, Ph.D.

Pioneers in Biomedical Optics: Prof. Watt Webb (September 2004)
Editors: David W. Piston and Elliott Elson

Biomedical Optics and Women's Health (May 2004)
Editors: Rebecca Richards-Kortum and Michele Follen

Optics of the Human Skin (March 2004)
Editor: J. Stuart Nelson

Ophthalmic Diagnostics (January 2004)
Editors: Rafat R. Ansari and J. Sebag

Multiphoton Microscopy (July 2003)
Editors: Ammasi Periasamy Ph.D. and Alberto Diaspro Ph.D.

Tools for Biomolecular and Cellular Analysis (October 2002)
Editors: Richard B. Thompson and Fran Ligler

Tissue Polarimetry (July 2002)
Editors: Lihong V. Wang, Gerard L. Coté, and Steven L. Jacques

Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy: From Benchtop to Bedside (January 2002)
Editors: Amir H. Gandjbakhche, Michael Patterson, and Michele Follen

Frontiers in Microscopy (July 2001)
Editors: M. J. Booth and T. Wilson

Advances in Contrast Agents, Reporters, and Detection (April 2001)
Editors: Darryl J. Bornhop, Christopher H. Contag, Kai Licha, and Catherine J. Murphy

Continuation of Special Issue Honoring Professor Britton Chance (July 2000)
Special Issue Honoring Professor Britton Chance (April 2000)
Editors: Arjun G. Yodh and Bruce J. Tromberg

Medical Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (October 1999)
Editors: Kazuo Okada and Takafumi Hamaoka

Photodynamic Therapy (July 1999)
Editors: Piotr Ziókowski, Krzysztof Symonowicz, Beata J. Osiecka, Jerzy Rabczyski, and Jerzy Gerber

Biomedical Applications of Vibrational Spectroscopic Imaging (January 1999)
Editor: Michael D. Morris

Optical Diagnostics of Biological Fluids (January 1999)
Editors: Alexander V. Priezzhev and Toshimitsu Asakura

Coherence Domain Optical Methods in Biomedical Science and Clinics (January 1999)
Editors: Valery V. Tuchin, Halina Podbielska, and Christoph K. Hitzenberger

Interferometry in Biomedicine: part 2 (July 1998)
Interferometry in Biomedicine: part 1 (January 1998)
Editors: Halina Podbielska, Christoph K. Hitzenberger, and Valery V. Tuchin

Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Imaging of Tissues (October 1996)
Editors: Marco Ferrari, David T. Delpy, and David A. Benaron

Light Scatter and Fluorescence of the Eye Lens (July 1996)
Editor: Barbara K. Pierscionek

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