The "Biophotonics in Australia: Showcase and Strategic Planning" meeting was held at Macquarie University, Australia, on the 22 to 25 February 2006.
Powerful technologies based on light and lasers are becoming widely used in the biological and biomedical sciences such as genomics, proteomics, bioengineering, medical diagnostics and industrial microbiology. The emerging discipline of Biophotonics coordinates the development and application of such techniques.
"Biophotonics in Australia" brought together key Australian researchers with leading edge international specialists to identify key challenges in the emerging area of Biophotonics and showcase Australia’s scientific research and technology capabilities. With ample time provided in the program for discussions, strategic planning activities for major collaborative programs and networking were facilitated.
"Biophotonics in Australia : Showcase and Strategic Planning" was sponsored by the Australian Government (Department of Education, Science and Training) through its International Science Linkages scheme, and endorsed by the Australian Research Council and National Health and Medical Research Council. The meeting took place, together with the second annual Workshop of the ARC/NHMRC Research Network “Fluorescence Applications in Biotechnology and Life Sciences” (23 – 24 February 2006, Macquarie University, Sydney).
The organising committee planned an outstanding program and delegate numbers were limited. Organisers brought to your attention that:
This was a small and unhurried meeting that offered good opportunities for in-depth discussions with Biophotonics leaders;
It provided an interdisciplinary forum that is often difficult to find and it enabled broadening of such cross-disciplinary contacts;
Australian Biophotonics and life sciences research is world-class.
