title: Fluorescence lifetime techniques in medical applications.
abstract: This article presents an overview of time-resolved (lifetime) fluorescence techniques used in biomedical diagnostics. In particular, we review the development of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (TRFS) and fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) instrumentation and associated methodologies which allow in vivo characterization and diagnosis of biological tissues. Emphasis is placed on the translational research potential of these techniques and on evaluating whether intrinsic fluorescence signals provide useful contrast for the diagnosis of human diseases including cancer (gastrointestinal tract, lung, head and neck, and brain), skin and eye diseases, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA. lmarcu@ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marcu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*