Mid-infrared Spectroscopy/Bioimaging: Moving toward MIR optical biopsy

Limited availability of tests to diagnose cancer in its early stages has contributed to an unfortunate prevalence of late-stage diagnoses and metastatic spread. For this reason, emerging technologies that promise early diagnosis constitute a key focus of research. Mid-infrared imaging (MIR), with its ability to enable in vivo medical diagnosis, is particularly interesting.

In fact, the European Commission provides support for a major effort to develop the technology through its Framework Seven (FP7) project called MINERVA (MId- to-NEaR- infrared spectroscopy for improVed medical diAgnostics).