Biophotonics is a rapidly increasing field of current scientific
research and applications, based on the discovery of biophotons, a
permanent, weak photon current emanating from all living systems. The
biophoton emission reflects some, if not all, of the essential
biological and physiological activities in biological systems.
Biophotonics provides a powerful tool for investigating these
electromagnetic interactions. The theoretical approach requires holistic
models of living systems, rather than local analytical models.
Consequently, these new insights into living matter create a new basis
of "integrative biophysics" that is concerned with the questions of
regulation, communication and organization of biological systems.
Most of the specialists working in this interdisciplinary field of
physics, biology, biophysics and medicine are associated with "The
International Institute of Biophysics" (IIB), in Neuss, Germany, where
basic research and possibilities for applications are coordinated. The
growth in this field is indicated by the increase in financial support,
interest from the scientific community and frequency of publications.
Audience: The scientists of IIB have presented the most essential
background and applications of biophotonics in these lecture notes in
biophysics, based on the summer school lectures by this group. This book
is devoted to questions of elementary biophysics, as well as current
developments and applications. It will be of interest to graduate and
postgraduate students, life scientists, and the responsible officials of
industries and governments looking for non-invasive methods of
investigating biological tissues.
