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Opinion: invest in photonics now to fight infectious diseases and future pandemics
Strong investment in photonics will help us fight infectious diseases that kill an unimaginable number of people and prepare us against future pandemics, says Dr Jürgen Popp of the Leibniz Center for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI) that is currently under construction in Jena. Light offers promising new solutions to tackle infectious diseases that kill millions of people every year Urgent action needed from EU and governments to invest in photonics technologies South Korea invests €2.8 Billion per year, China €1 billion – whereas entire EU investment is €100 million p.a. A proper investment will prepare us for next pandemic By harnessing photonics – technologies that are based on light…
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Nobel Laureates warn jobs, economic growth, and lifesaving healthcare at risk due to proposed EC science budget cuts
Three of the world’s most eminent scientists have criticised the European Commission’s intention to drastically cut photonics funding over the next seven years. Digital innovation which drives economic growth and creates jobs all across Europe will be at risk if the budget to fund the enabling technologies in photonics is slashed. In a stark warning, the Nobel Prize Winners say cutting investment in photonics – which is essential for powering high critical sectors like health, aerospace and transport – will be disastrous for Europe’s technological goals. In an open letter to the European Commission, the Nobel laureates have heavily criticised the decision to make a 30% reduction in funding support…
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Medical tools developed quicker thanks to new EU Pilot Line
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the need to quickly develop diagnostic equipment in the face of a novel threat. Thanks to a dedicated medical pilot production line that gives easy access to prototyping, new medical tools that use photonics to detect major diseases will be quicker, cheaper and easier to develop. At present, many infectious diseases like COVID-19 or HIV/AIDS do not have an adequate vaccine so patients rely on early, rapid diagnosis for effective treatment and survival. Photonics – the technology based on light – provides healthcare professionals with advanced, highly targeted, minimally invasive diagnostics that detect body signals, symptoms and diseases early on. Developing medical devices, however, can…
