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Jürgen Popp, the scientific director of the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology and a professor of physical chemistry at Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, has been named an honorary member of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy (SAS). SAS Honorary Membership is one of the highest international distinctions in spectroscopy.
The SAS particularly recognizes Popp’s contributions to translating spectroscopic methods into medical applications. His work focuses on Raman spectroscopy, enabling the rapid, label-free analysis of molecular “fingerprints” in cells and body fluids without complex sample preparation.
From fundamental research to clinical application
In cancer diagnostics, Popp’s teams, working closely with Jena University Hospital, are developing approaches to visualize tumor margins in real time during surgery. The goal is to analyze tissue directly in the operating room, allowing surgeons to distinguish more precisely between healthy and diseased tissue and to remove tumors more accurately. In the longer term, light-based approaches may even enable surgical interventions without the need for a scalpel.
In infection diagnostics, researchers—also in close collaboration with clinical partners—are developing laser-based rapid tests to identify pathogens and determine antibiotic resistance. In life-threatening conditions such as sepsis, where every hour counts, these approaches aim to reduce diagnostic times from days to just a few hours.
Spectroscopy for personalized medicine
Another key research focus is the use of spectroscopic data for personalized medicine. Repeated, non-invasive measurements—such as from blood, saliva, or urine—can be used to generate individual molecular profiles and track changes over time. Combined with AI-based models, these approaches may help detect diseases earlier and tailor therapies more precisely to individual patients.
The concept of a “Personalized Optical Digital Twin,” which Popp co-develops within the European technology platform Photonics21, follows this vision: identifying pathological changes before symptoms appear.
With the Honorary Membership of the SAS, Popp receives one of the highest international recognitions in spectroscopy. At the same time, the award points to the growing importance of biophotonic approaches for medicine.
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp
Scientific Director, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology
https://www.leibniz-ipht.de/en/departments/spectroscopy-and-imaging/
https://sas.memberclicks.net/honorary-membership-award
Portrait of Prof. Jürgen Popp, Scientific Director of the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology a ...
Source: Sven Döring
Copyright: Leibniz IPHT
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