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Conference Agenda

Please note small changes to the agenda are still possible.

Read about the Topical Meetings and sessions of the conference

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Please note that all times are shown in the time zone of the conference. The current conference time is: 18th June 2026, 03:17:10pm EEST

Daily Overview

Session

TOM Biophotonics S4: Fluorescence Imaging and Sensing

Time:

Thursday, 27/Aug/2026:

4:30pm - 6:00pm

Session Chair: Pascal Berto, Institut Fresnel, France

Location: Henrika 5

Presentations

4:30pm - 5:00pm
INVITED
ID: 490 / TOM Biophotonics S4: 1
Biophotonics

’Smart’ probes and instrumentation for quantitative and multiplexed fluorescence imaging and sensing

Peter Dedecker

University of Leuven, Belgium

In this presentation, I will discuss our recent progress on expanding the range of processes that can be probed using fluorescence microscopy, focusing both on new molecular probes, new instrumentation, and new data analysis. In particular, I will present multiplexed imaging and sensing using our combined 'smart' (light responsive) fluorophores as well as our high-resolution imaging of molecular interactions using SOFI-FRET. In a second part, I will discuss fast 3D acquisitions using our custom TriScan and FastScan microscopes, as well as our software for 'smart' (data-guided) microscopy.

5:00pm - 5:15pm
ID: 285 / TOM Biophotonics S4: 2
Biophotonics

Top-down fabrication of carbon nitride quantum dots for bioimaging

Nikita Belko¹, Hanna Maltanava¹, Martynas Zalieckas², Deborah Amos Adigun¹, Steffi Goffart³, Renata Karpicz², Polina Kuzhir¹

¹Department of Physics and Mathematics, University of Eastern Finland, Finland; ²Department of Molecular Compound Physics, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Lithuania; ³Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Finland

Carbon nitride quantum dots (CNQDs) are fabricated using alkaline hydrothermal treatment of bulk graphitic carbon nitride. The resulting CNQDs exhibit excitation-dependent fluorescence, with emission spanning the 300–550 nm range. Cellular uptake studies using HeLa cells and flow cytometry reveal efficient accumulation of CNQDs and a concentration-dependent increase in intracellular fluorescence after 2 h. These results highlight the potential of top-down synthesized CNQDs as biocompatible fluorescent probes for bioimaging applications.

5:15pm - 5:30pm
ID: 299 / TOM Biophotonics S4: 3
Biophotonics

Free Space Whispering Gallery Microlaser for Molecular and Cellular Biosensing

Stefano Ferretti¹, Claudia Fosco², Angela Capocefalo¹, Barbara Cortese³, Neda Ghofraniha¹

¹Institute for Complex Systems, National Research Council; ²Physics Department, La Sapienza University; ³Institute for Nanotechnology, National Research Council

We report the development of a free-space Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM) microlaser designed for highly sensitive, specific, and fully label-free biosensing applications. The sensing principle is based on monitoring shifts in the lasing emission spectrum induced by minute variations in the local optical environment, enabling the detection of biomolecular interactions with high precision. The free-space configuration eliminates the need for fiber or waveguide coupling, significantly simplifying the experimental architecture.

To enable automated and high-throughput analysis of the rich spectral output, machine learning techniques are integrated into the sensing framework. In particular, deep learning autoencoders are employed for unsupervised spectral feature extraction, allowing subtle and diagnostically relevant changes to be identified with high reliability. This approach supports rapid, objective data interpretation and paves the way toward real-time diagnostic applications.

Beyond static sensing, the WGM microlasers are introduced into cellular environments and optically manipulated with sub-micrometric spatial resolution using optical tweezers. This capability allows controlled positioning of the microlasers within multicellular systems and enables in vitro investigations of cancer cell mechanotaxis. Overall, this platform combines optical microlasing, machine learning–assisted analysis, and precise cellular manipulation, offering new opportunities for biophysical studies and advanced biomedical diagnostics.