Development of Laser- Education and Research Towards Biophotonics at Nairobi

Abstract

The paper highlights progress in research development and education capacities towards biophotonics at Nairobi We have developed Optical Physics and Photonics at undergraduate and Laser Physics and Laser Spectroscopy at graduate level To support [he courses we have founded a research line in method development in instrumentation and spectroscopy imaging for disease diagnostics utilizing among other techniques. LIBS. LED-based multispectral microscopy and holography and laser Raman spectromicroscopy. We focus on malaria and cancer diagnostics via spectroscopy and spectra imaging of pathogcns and chemical (element. molecular) analysis and speciation characterization in body tissues and fluids, The goal is to perform trace/ultra-trace measurement of the analytes and elucidate their role in biopathological activity and map the distribution and evolution with disease: (dynamic spectroanalysis spectral imaging) as well as to monitor alterations of the analytes in response to therapy at cellular and sub-cellular scales. We report on the status and prospects of our educational program (curriculum design and structure ) and supporting research during the last decade.