The final assignment will require students to work individually to write a topical review paper covering any
medical or biological application of optical spectroscopy of their choice. Students must select a minimum of 5
peer-reviewed manuscripts (Undergraduates, 8 papers for Graduate students) discussing applications in which
at least two different optical spectroscopy or spectroscopic imaging techniques (NIR absorption, Fluorescence,
Reflectance, etc. Techniques not covered in the class are allowed and encouraged, but they must be optical)
are used to investigate a similar application or class of applications (i.e. skin cancer diagnosis would be an
application, however if not enough papers are observed, then skin cancer + skin diseases would be ok.
Alternatively, Raman for analysis of calcified minerals in urine and calcified breast lesions would be ok if the
theme of the review is calcified tissues).
Students will be asked to report in the following format, similar to a scientific review article:
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
a. General overview of each of the research area, with general citations (can be extracted from the
background sections of the individual manuscripts.)
3. Biospectroscopy Descriptions
a. Detailed discussion of the areas of biospectroscopy with specific inclusion of primary figures,
tables, plots for selected research papers.
4. Comparative Discussion
a. Comparative analysis of areas relative strengths and weakness, limitations, prospects for future
development, clinical application, etc.
5. Future Directions
a. Propose one new potential study that is justified based on the findings of the manuscripts you’ve
included, and
6. Conclusion
Total report should not be no more than 7 pages of narrative (not including references)
Format Guidelines: Font 10-12 pt, 1in margins, 1.5 line spacing.
Figures Highly recommended for clarity. Preferably inset within the text
Consider the following factors:
– What are the relative strengths and limitations of the different techniques or applications? How do these
strengths and limitations compare? How well suited are the techniques are for specific aspects of the
biomedical challenge? What is the relative potential of the two applications to address their specific
biomedical challenges.
Remember: This assignment requires you to critically evaluate the papers and present the most important
elements of the papers for comparative analysis. This is not the same as writing multiple back-to-back
summaries of each paper!
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