Dear Colleagues,

Optical fluorescence imaging significantly reduces patient exposure to harmful radiation by using nonionizing radiation. Fluorescence light generates images by exciting electrons without causing the damage that can occur with ionizing radiation used in radiation-based medical imaging techniques. Because it is much safer for patients, and significantly faster, optical imaging can be used for lengthy and repeated procedures over time to monitor the progression of disease or the results of treatment. Optical imaging has been one of the primary imaging techniques that have been employed in various disciplines due to their high sensitivity and real-time data feedback. Traditional optical imaging modalities utilize the visible (400-650 nm) and the near-infrared region (NIR I; 650-900 nm); however, deep tissue imaging has recently been carried out in the NIR-II window (1000-1300 nm) using shortwarve infrared (SWIR) contrast agents. NIR-I/II imaging has several special features for high-resolution imaging of biological tissue including deep tissue penetration, low autofluorescence, and low light abosrption and scattering in the neighboring tissues, which together make it ideal to help guide the surgeon in real-time. The benefit of using optical imaging in the clinical setting can be attributed to its molecular fluorescence as an exogenous contrast agent. In particular, the use of multispectral, targeted NIR fluorophores enables real-time delineation of diseased tissue while preserving vital tissues. In this Special Issue, we report the recent advances in (1) the development of NIR I and NIR II contrast agents, (2) the measurements of their optophysical properties, sensitivity, targetability, and stability, (3) their biomedical, bioanalytical, and bioimaging applications, (4) and diagnosis and treatment of human diseases.

Dr. Hak Soo Choi
Prof. Dr. Maged Henary
Guest Editors

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• near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging
• shortwave infrared (SWIR) fluorescence imaging
• optophysical property
• bioimaging applications
• bioanalytical applications
• biosensors
• tumor targeted contrast agents
• tissue-specific contrast agents