E. Duco Jansen, Ph.D.

Having worked in the area of light-tissue interactions for over 20 years, my laboratory is interested in the development and application of lasers and optical technologies to solve problems in medicine and biology. Our efforts cover a range of activities from using lasers as therapeutic modalities, developing and applying novel optical imaging technologies and using optical spectroscopy for sensing and diagnosis.

The primary focus areas of my laboratory are include: 1) research focused on development and application of optical imaging technologies, in particular bioluminescence imaging; 2) fundamental studies of tissue optics and light-tissue interactions (especially ultrashort pulse tissue ablation); and 3) the development of optical neural interfaces. In particular the latter, currently the main focus in the lab, includes the development of novel ways to use light to exchange information with the neural system. This encompasses device development, studying the underlying neurobiological mechanisms, development of optically-based prosthetic devices and translating this technology to the clinic.