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Spectroscopy  

Spectroscopy

	Spectroscopy
	Clinical Diagnostics Emerging Technologies in vivo Spectroscopy Oral/Dental Health Publications

Medical Molecular Spectroscopy From Hippocrates to Herschel - and Beyond

Research by the Spectroscopy Group focuses on the discovery, development, and exploitation of optical and infrared spectroscopy and imaging methods to improve diagnostic capabilities in the health care of Canadians.

The Spectroscopy Group

Western medicine traces its history back to Hippocrates and the ancient Greeks. The fundamental goal of medicine is to improve one's state of health, but before a disease can be cured, it must first be identified or diagnosed. The earlier that health problems are diagnosed, the better the chance that they can be treated.

Many diagnostic tools have become available over the centuries, and some of the most recent advances involve the ultraviolet (UV), visible, and infrared (IR) regions of the electromagnetic (or light) spectrum.

Infrared light was discovered in 1800 by Sir William Herschel, a British astronomer and musician, but infrared spectroscopy did not really develop until the 20th century.

Both infrared and optical spectroscopy have been used for decades in the study of molecular structures; however, it is only recently that the medical community has embraced their true colours.

The IBD Spectroscopy Group's primary objective is to develop optical and infrared spectroscopic methods that can detect the onset of disease at an early stage. Major programs within our group include:

Clinical Diagnostics	in vivo Spectroscopy
Oral-Dental Health	Emerging Technologies