Photonics for Life: The main focus of our work is optical solutions to problems in the fields of medicine and the life and environmental sciences. The research focus biophotonics combines all research programs at IPHT. It offers photonic process solutions that are designed together with the fiber optics and photonic detection research focuses specifically for system solutions. 

In close cooperation with partners in medicine and the life and environmental sciences, biophotonics identifies and addresses unanswered questions in fundamental research. Our research findings make the discovery of new methods and approaches possible and simultaneously open up possibilities for applications in photonic technologies. Although it does not carry out actual biological or medical research itself, IPHT contributes significantly to the advancement of these socio-politically relevant fields due to its method and operational research. 

The scientific work at IPHT is divided into eight research departments, a research group an two junior groups. This results in a large amount of synergy. New biophotonic methods in spectro-optical and imaging diagnostics and bioanalytics per se are connected to the research and implementation of corresponding light sources and photonic detection systems. At the same time, biophotonics affects fundamental research with the specific requirements it makes in these research fields. Due to their unique properties and miniaturization capabilities, fiber-optical system solutions are gaining increasing importance.