Photobiology $c

Photobiology integrates a wide variety of scientific disciplines. As more people become aware of the many ways light interacts with chemical and biological systems, the need for a concise treatment of photobiology has become more critical. Kohen et al . Have written just such a book, intended both as a textbook and as a reference. The authors begin by providing a brief description of the nature of light, how it affects matter, and the means and methods of measuring it. A major section of the book is devoted to how light influences living systems, including discussions of photosynthesis, bioluminescence, regulatory mechanisms, and visual transduction of light. The last half of the book is devoted to the biomedical aspects of light, including photoimmunology, photoallergic reactions and other forms of light sensitivity, the optical properties of skin, and various ways that light can be used in therapy treatments. Useful to photobiologists as a comprehensive overview, this book should also appeal to biomedical researchers and advanced students of photobiology. Photobiology......Page 1 Title page......Page 4 Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 26 Acknowledgments......Page 28 Part I: Introducing light......Page 30 1.1 Reflection......Page 32 1.2 Refraction......Page 33 1.3 Fermat's Principle......Page 34 1.5.1 What Are Waves?......Page 35 1.5.2 Wave Characteristics......Page 36 1.6 Diffraction and Resolution Limits......Page 40 1.7 The Quantum Theory and Photons......Page 42 1.8.1 The Energy of Bound Electrons......Page 45 1.9 Electronic Structure of Atoms and Molecules......Page 48 1.10 The Planck Equation and Photochemical Reactions......Page 50 Bibliography......Page 51 2.1 Electronic Transitions......Page 52 2.2 The Multiplicity of the Electronic States: Another Important Factor of the Probability of Transition......Page 53 2.3.1 Absorption of Light by Molecules......Page 54 2.3.2 The Extinction Coefficient: Tlie Beer-Lambert Law......Page 55 2.3.3 The Franck-Condon Principle......Page 57 2.3.4 Deactivation from Singlet Excited States......Page 58 2.3.4.2 Deactivation of the First Singlet Excited State by Intersystem Crossing to the Triplet State......Page 59 2.3.5.1 Effect of Multiplicity of States on Lifetimes......Page 61 2.3.5.2 Delayed Fluorescence and Phosphorescence......Page 63 2.3.6.1 Fluorescence Quantum Yield......Page 64 2.3.7 The Quenching of Singlet and Triplet States: The Stern-Volmer Equation......Page 66 2.3.8.1 Energy Transfer between Singlet States: The Result of Energy Transfer Is Quenching of Donor Fluorescence and Electronic Excitation of the Acceptor Molecule......Page 67 2.3.8.3 Energy Transfer between Triplet and Singlet States......Page 70 Bibliography......Page 71 3.1.1 "Conventional" Continuous Light Sources......Page 72 3.1.1.2 Xenon Arc Lamps......Page 74 3.1.2 Monochromators and Optical Filters......Page 75 3.1.2.2 Filters......Page 76 3.1.3 Actinometry......Page 78 3.1.4 Coherent Light Sources: Lasers......Page 79 3.2.1 Absorption Spectrophotometry......Page 81 3.2.2.1.2 Determination of Fluorescence Quantum Yields......Page 83 3.2.2.1.3 Determination of Fluorescence Excitation Spectra......Page 85 3.2.3 Photoacoustic Spectroscopy......Page 86 3.2.4 An Outline of Raman Spectroscopy......Page 89 3.3.1.1 Pulsed Source Fluorometers......Page 91 3.3.1.2 Phase Fluorometers......Page 92 3.3.2.1 General Description of Laser Flash Photolysis Equipment......Page 94 3.4 Microspectroscopic Methods for the Study of Living Cells......Page 95 Bibliography......Page 98 Part II: Light and Biological Systems......Page 100 4.1 Introduction......Page 102 4.2.1 Laser Flash Spectroscopy as a Tool to Unravel Macromolecular Dynamics: Probing Hemoglobin Biochemistry with Light......Page 103 4.2.2.1 Identification of Triplet-Triplet Transient Absorption......Page 106 4.2.2.2 Determination of Molar Extinction Coefficients and Triplet Formation Quantum Yield......Page 108 4.3.1 Photoionization of Tryptophan in Aqueous Medium......Page 110 4.3.2 An Insight into the Reactivity of the Triplet State of Aromatic Molecules: A Clue to the Understanding of Photosensitized Reactions......Page 112 4.4.1 An Introduction to the Mechanism of 1O2 Formation......Page 115 4.4.2 Decay of 1O2 in the Absence of a Chemical Reaction......Page 116 4.4.3 Mechanistic and Kinetic Study of tlie Cliemical Reactivity of 1O2 in Photosensitized Reactions Involving Biological Substrates......Page 117 4.4.3.1 Main Mechanisms of the Single Oxygen-Mediated Reactions......Page 119 4.4.3.2.1 Charge Transfer Quenching of 1O2......Page 121 4.4.3.2.2 Quenching by Energy Transfer......Page 122 4.4.4 Transformation of a Type II Photodynamic Reaction into Type I......Page 123 4.5 Oxygen-independent Photosensitized Reactions......Page 124 Bibliography......Page 125 5. Photochemistry of Biological Molecules......Page 126 5.1.1.1 Hydration Products......Page 127 5.1.1.2 Cyclobutane-Type Dimers......Page 128 5.1.1.5 DNA-Protein Cross-links......Page 130 5.1.2 Photochemistry of Purines......Page 131 5.2.1 Direct Photochemistry of Simple Amino Acids and Peptides at Room Temperature in Aerated Solutions at Neutral pH......Page 132 5.2.1.1 Tryptophan......Page 133 5.2.1.2 Tyrosine and Cystine......Page 134 5.2.3 Photochemistry of Proteins......Page 135 5.3.1 Photorearrangement of 7-Dehyclrocholesterol......Page 138 5.3.2.1 Reaction of 1O2 with Cholesterol......Page 139 5.3.2.2 Oxidation of PUFAs......Page 140 5.4 The Main Cell Photosensitizers......Page 143 Bibliography......Page 145 6.1 Introduction......Page 146 6.3 Chemically Initiated Electron Exchange Luminescence......Page 147 6.5 Chemiluminescence of a Proximate Carcinogen 7,8-diol-benzo(a)pyrene......Page 149 6.6 The Origin of Bioluminescence......Page 150 6.6.4 Bioluminescent Systems......Page 151 6.7 Bioluminescence of Eukaryotes......Page 152 6.8 Types of Bioluminescent Reactions......Page 153 6.9.1 Activation......Page 154 6.10.1 Cypridina Luminescence......Page 155 6.10.2 Firefly Bioluminescence......Page 156 6.10.3 Bioluminescence of Coelenterates......Page 157 6.10.3.1 Bioluminescence of Renilla......Page 160 6.10.5 Bioluminescence of Bacteria......Page 161 Bibliography......Page 164 7.1 The Problem With Ozone Depletion......Page 166 7.2.1 Factors Affecting the Present Solar UV Climate......Page 167 7.2.2 Nature of Biological Photoreactions: The Radiation Amplification Factor......Page 168 7.3.1 Biological Action Spectra......Page 169 7.4 Human Health and UVB Radiation in the Environment......Page 172 7.4.1.4 Intraocular Melanoma......Page 173 7.4.2.4 Tuberculosis and Leprosy......Page 174 7.4.3 Skin Cancer......Page 175 7.5.1 Artificial and Solar Radiation......Page 176 7.5.3 Effects on Plant Function: Pliotosyntliesis and Transpiration......Page 178 7.6 Aquatic Ecosystems......Page 179 7.6.1 Primary Producers: Phytoplankton......Page 180 7.6.1.2 Development and Physiology......Page 182 7.6.1.4 UVB Targets......Page 183 7.6.2.4 Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Concentration and Global Climate Change......Page 184 Environmental Effects of Ozone Depletion and Ultraviolet Radiations......Page 185 Bibliography......Page 186 8.1.1 Circadian Rhythms......Page 188 8.1.2 Scintillons......Page 189 8.3 Relationship Between Natural Fluorescence, Photosynthesis, and Chlorophyll Concetration in the Sea......Page 190 8.3.2 The Two Methods of Fluorescence Measurements......Page 191 8.4.1 The Coastal Zone Color Scanner......Page 192 8.4.2 The Signal Measured by the CZCS: The Phytoplankton Pigments......Page 194 8.4.3 Relationship between Radiance Measurements and Pigment Concentration......Page 195 8.5 Phytochromes in Marine Algae......Page 196 8.6 Fluorescent Pterins and Flavins in Marine Phytoplanktons......Page 197 8.6.2 Pterins......Page 198 8.6.3 Pterins and Flavins in Zooplanlcton......Page 199 8.6.4 Coral Samples from French Polynesia......Page 201 8.7 Coral Tissue Fluorescence......Page 202 Bibliography......Page 203 9.2 The Hill Reaction......Page 206 9.3.1 Noncyclic Electron Transport......Page 207 9.3.2 The Role of Inorganic Ions in PSII......Page 210 9.3.3 The Electron Transport Chain from PSII to PSI......Page 211 9.3.4 The Energy Balance of Photosynthesis......Page 212 9.3.5 Energy and Reducing Power Supplied by the Dark Pliase of Photosynthesis......Page 213 9.4 Cyclic Transport of Electrons in PSI......Page 216 9.5 Light-independent Carbon Dioxide Fixation: The Calvin Cycle......Page 218 9.6.1 Charge Separation through the Membrane of the Thylakoids......Page 220 9.6.3 Photorespiration......Page 221 9.7 Light Collection: Relationship Between the Chlorophyll Antenna and Reaction Center, a Clue to Effectiveness of Photosynthesis......Page 222 9.7.1 Organization of the Photosynthetic Pigments and Transfer of the Excitation Energy......Page 223 9.8.2 Intermediate Order......Page 225 9.9 Chlorophyll Fluorescence......Page 226 9.9.1 Chlorophyll Fluorescence Lifetimes......Page 227 9.10 The Kautsky Phenomenon......Page 228 9.12 Classification of Photosynthetic Bacteria......Page 230 9.14 Purple Bacteria......Page 231 9.14.1 Trapping of Excitation Energy in Photosynthetic Purple Bacteria......Page 232 9.14.2 Charge Separation in Photosynthetic Purple Bacteria......Page 233 9.16 Light-harvesting System of Cyanobacteria......Page 234 9.17 Bacteriorhodopsin: Definition and Structure......Page 235 9.18 Primary Photoevent, Intermediates, and the Bacteriorhodopsin Cycle......Page 236 9.20 The Initial 100-psec Interval......Page 237 9.21 Time-resolved Absorption Experiments on the Femtosecond Scale......Page 239 9.22 Basic Principles for Creating an Entirely Synthetic System......Page 240 9.23 Quinone-substituted Porphyrin Dimers as Photosynthetic Model Systems......Page 241 9.24.1 Dyads......Page 242 9.24.2 Triads......Page 243 9.24.3 Tetrads......Page 244 9.24.4 Pentads......Page 246 9.25 Selected Readings: Photosynthetic Production of Hydrocarbons......Page 247 9.26 The Graetzel Cell: A Solar Cell Based on Photosynthesis and Photography......Page 251 Bibliography......Page 252 10.1 Light as a Source of Information......Page 256 10.2.1 Red and Far-Red Absorbing Phytochrome......Page 257 10.2.4 The Action of High Irradiance......Page 259 10.3 Chemical Structure of Phytochrome......Page 260 10.3.2 Surface-Enhanced Resonance Raman Scattering Spectroscopy......Page 263 10.5 Mutants in Phytochrome Research......Page 264 10.6 Coaction Between Phytochrome and Blue/UV Receptors......Page 265 10.7 Anatomical Connection Between Retinohypothalamic Tract, Suprachiasmatic Nuclei, and Pinealocytes......Page 266 10.8 Control of Melatonin Synthesis and Secretion......Page 267 10.9 Pathway of Melatonin Synthesis......Page 268 10.10 Stimulus Perception and Transduction......Page 272 10.11.2 Photophobic Responses......Page 273 10.12.1 Individual Cell Methods......Page 274 10.14 Photomovement of Whole Cells......Page 275 10.14.1.1 The Primary Photoreaction......Page 276 10.14.2.2 Receptor Pigments for Photomovement......Page 277 10.14.3.2 Receptor Pigments for Photomovement......Page 278 10.14.4 Stentor coeruleus......Page 279 10.14.4.2 Primary Photoreaction and Stimulus-Response Coupling......Page 280 10.14.6 Euglena......Page 281 10.15.1 Photoreceptor Pigments for Photodinesis......Page 282 10.15.2 Polarotropism of Mougeotia Chloroplasts......Page 283 Bibliography......Page 284 Part III: Light and Health......Page 288 11.1 The Primary Photoevent in Vision......Page 290 11.2 The Rod Cells......Page 292 11.3 Signal Transduction Between the Disk Membrane and the Rod Outer Membrane......Page 294 11.4 Multidisciplinary Study of Sensory Transduction in Rod Vision......Page 296 11.5 The Stryer Scheme of Molecular Mechanism of Visual Transduction (As Revised by Liebman)......Page 300 11.6 Rods and Cones......Page 302 Bibliography......Page 303 12.1.1 Introduction......Page 304 12.1.2 UV Radiation Survival Curves......Page 305 12.2.2 Photoreactivation......Page 307 12.2.3 Excision Repair......Page 308 12.2.4 Inducible SOS Response......Page 309 12.2.5 Postreplication Repair......Page 310 12.2.6.1 Epidemiology of UV-DNA Repair Capacity......Page 311 12.3.1 Action Spectrum of UVA......Page 312 12.3.3.1 Single-Strand DNA Breaks......Page 313 12.3.3.3 Formation of Active Oxygen Intermediates......Page 314 12.3.3.5 Cytoplasmic Targets of UVA......Page 315 12.3.3.6 Induction of Anuclear Organelle Damage......Page 316 12.3.4 Pigmentation by UVA......Page 317 12.3.6 Effect of UVA on Immune Function......Page 318 12.4.1 Definition of Pliotooxidative Stress......Page 319 12.4.2.1.1 Catalase......Page 320 12.4.2.2.1 Lipid-Soluble Antioxidants......Page 321 12.4.2.2.1.1 Carotenoids......Page 322 12.4.2.2.2 Water-Soluble Antioxidants......Page 324 12.5.2.1 Melanosomes......Page 325 12.5.2.2 Photoprotection by Melanins......Page 327 Bibliography......Page 328 13.1 Definition of Optical and Structural Properties of the Skin......Page 332 13.1.1 Perception of Skin Color......Page 333 13.1.2.1 Measurement of Spectral Transmittance and Remittance through Stratum Corneum or Dermis......Page 335 13.1.2.2 Transmission of UV Radiation through the Skin......Page 336 13.2.1 The Kubelka-Munk Model for Radiation Transfer in a Scattering, Absorbing Medium......Page 337 13.2.2 Charting of Tissue Optical Properties Derived from Reflection and Transmission......Page 340 13.3 Optics of the Stratum Corneum and Epidermis......Page 341 13.5 In vivo Remittance Spectroscopy......Page 342 13.6.1 Photoprotection......Page 343 13.7 Photomedical Treatments and Cutaneous Optics......Page 344 13.9.1.1 Optical Fibers Coupled to a Photodetector......Page 345 13.9.1.2.1 Monte Carlo Simulation......Page 346 13.10 Experimental Time-resolved Methods......Page 347 13.10.1 Photon Migration in Tissues Studied by Time-Resolved Wave Spectroscopy......Page 348 Bibliography......Page 350 14.1.1 UV Spectrum......Page 352 14.1.1.1 UVB Effects......Page 353 14.1.3 Epidemiology of Skin Cancer......Page 354 14.1.6 Effects of Infrared Radiation......Page 355 14.1.7 The Law of Reciprocity......Page 356 14.2.1 Cellular and Vascular Responses to Sunlight (Pigmentation, Erythema) and the Minimal Erythemal Dose......Page 357 14.2.4 UV-lnduced Injury to Langerhans Cells: Epidermal Target......Page 358 14.2.6 UVB Radiation Protocols for Experimental Studies in Mice......Page 359 14.2.7.1 Studies Using Human Subjects......Page 360 14.2.8 UVB Susceptibility and Tumor Necrosis Factor......Page 361 14.2.9 Possible Molecular Pathogenesis of UVB-lnduced Contact Hypersensitivity to Haptens and the Risk of Developing Skin Cancer......Page 362 14.3 Xeroderma Pigmentosum......Page 363 14.3.1 XP and Rodent Complementation Groups......Page 366 14.3.2 The Problem of Partial Correction by Gene and Chromosome Transfer......Page 367 14.3.4 XP and Neurological Disorders......Page 368 14.3.7.1 Case Report 1: Xeroderma Pigmentosum Variant with Multisystem Involvement......Page 369 14.4.1 Epidemiology of Melanoma......Page 370 14.4.3.2 Junctional Nevus......Page 371 14.4.3.5 Solar Lentigo......Page 372 14.4.4 Wavelengths Effective in Induction of Malignant Melanoma: Action Spectrum for Melanoma Induction......Page 374 14.4.5 Risk Factors for the Development of Melanoma......Page 375 14.4.5.1.4 Common Melanocytic Nevi and Dysplastic Nevi......Page 376 14.4.6 Computer Applications in the Diagnosis and Management of Malignant Melanoma......Page 382 14.4.7.1 Pattern Analysis of Benign and Malignant Pigmented Skin Lesions......Page 383 14.4.7.2.4 Nodular Melanoma versus Angioma and Angiokeratoma......Page 384 14.5.1 Phototoxic Reactions......Page 385 14.5.1.2 Canine Solar Dermatitis......Page 386 14.5.2.1 Squamous Cell Carcinoma......Page 387 14.5.3.2 Hemangiomas and Hemangiosarcomas of Dogs......Page 388 14.5.3.3 Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Bengal Tiger and Christmas Cat......Page 389 Bibliography......Page 390 15.1 The Skin's Immune System: From Gold Impregnation to Monoclonal Antibodies......Page 392 15.2 Dendritic Cells......Page 393 15.2.3 Ultrastructure of the Langerhans Cell......Page 394 15.2.4 Cultures of Langerhans Cells......Page 395 15.3 Interaction Between APCS and T Cells......Page 396 15.4.1 Alteration of Contact Hypersensitivity Response......Page 397 15.4.2 Alteration of Ability to Activate T Lymphocytes in Vitro......Page 398 15.5.1 Some Analogies with the Actions of Chemical Carcinogens......Page 399 15.5.2 Pathway of UV Skin Carcinogenesis Formation......Page 402 Bibliography......Page 403 16.1.1.1 Tar and Pitch Skin......Page 406 16.1.1.1.2 Tar Melanosis and Melanodermatitis Toxica Hoffman Haberman......Page 407 16.1.2.1 Dermatitis Phototoxica......Page 408 16.1.2.2 Berloque Dermatitis......Page 409 16.1.3 Porphyrias......Page 410 16.1.3.1 Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria......Page 412 16.1.3.2 Erythropoietic Protoporphyria......Page 413 16.1.3.3 Acute Intermittent Porphyria......Page 414 16.1.3.6 Porphyria Cutanea Tarda......Page 416 16.1.3.8 Suggested Reading: Porphyria in History......Page 418 16.1.3.8.2 Mary Queen of Scots (1542-1587)......Page 420 16.1.4.1.1 Primary PS......Page 421 16.1.4.1.3 Hepatogenous Photosensitization......Page 422 16.1.4.2 Clinical Signs of PS in Animals......Page 426 16.2.1 Criteria for Phototoxicity versus Photoallergy......Page 427 16.2.2.1 Argyrosis and Chrysiasis......Page 428 16.2.6.1 Persistent Light Reactors......Page 429 16.2.6.2 Photopatch Testing in PACD......Page 430 16.2.6.3 Chronic Actinic Dermatitis......Page 431 16.2.7 Chronic Polymorphic Light Eruption......Page 432 16.2.8.1 Actinic Prurigo......Page 433 16.2.10.2 Cockayne Syndrome......Page 434 16.2.10.4 Rothmund and Thomson Syndromes......Page 435 16.3.1.1 Lupus Erythematosus......Page 436 16.3.1.1.1 Discoid Lupus Erythematosus......Page 437 16.3.1.1.2 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus......Page 438 16.3.1.1.2.1 Clinical Picture of SLE......Page 439 16.3.1.1.2.4 Diagnostic Criteria of Lupus......Page 440 16.3.1.1.4 Lupus Erythematosus in Mice......Page 441 16.3.3 Psoriasis and Seborrheic Skin Conditions......Page 442 16.3.4.2 Dyskeratosis Follicularis Darier......Page 443 16.3.4.3 Benign Familial Pemphigus of Hailey-Hailey......Page 444 16.3.4.5.1 Purpura Solaris......Page 445 16.3.4.6 Keratoacanthoma......Page 446 Clinical Manifestations......Page 447 Stage I......Page 448 Stage II......Page 450 Ophthalmic Rosacea......Page 451 Phymas......Page 452 Topical Treatment......Page 453 Bibliography......Page 454 17.1.1 Plasma Bilirubin Concentration as a Prognostic Index of Bilirubin Encephalopathy in the Neonate......Page 460 17.1.3 The Neurotoxic Form of Bilirubin......Page 461 17.1.4 Bilirubin Photoproducts......Page 462 17.1.5 Potential Hazards of Phototherapy......Page 463 17.1.6 Bronze Babies......Page 464 17.2.1 The Discovery of Vitamin D and Its Mechanism of Action......Page 465 17.2.2.2 Vitamin D3......Page 466 17.2.3 Chemistry of the Vitamin D Compounds......Page 467 17.2.4 Biosynthesis of Vitamin D in Skin......Page 468 17.2.5 Functional Metabolism of Vitamin D......Page 470 17.2.6 Photobiology of Vitamin D......Page 472 Bibliography......Page 473 18.1.1 Psoriasis: The Disease......Page 476 18.1.2 The Genetics of Psoriasis......Page 477 18.1.3 Mediators in the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis......Page 478 18.1.4 Characteristic Features of Psoriasis......Page 479 18.1.5.2 Action Spectrum for UVB Phototherapy of Psoriasis......Page 480 18.1.5.4 Action Spectra for Delayed Erythema: UVA and PUVA Photochemotherapy......Page 481 18.1.5.5 Heliotherapy of Psoriasis at the Dead Sea......Page 482 18.1.6.1.1 General Mechanisms......Page 483 18.1.6.2 Monofunctional Psoralens......Page 484 18.1.7.1.1 Oral PUVA Therapy......Page 485 18.1.7.3 PUVA-Induced Actinic Damage......Page 486 18.2.1 UVB Phototherapy of Mycosis Fungoides......Page 487 18.2.1.1 Mechanism of UVB Phototherapy......Page 488 18.2.2 Home Phototherapy of Mycosis Fungoides......Page 489 18.2.5 Photophoresis: Extracorporeal Photochemotherapy of CTCL with 8-Methoxypsoralen and UVA......Page 491 18.3.1 Characteristic Features......Page 492 18.3.2 Mechanisms of Pigment Loss in Vitiligo......Page 493 18.3.3 Immune Processes in Vitiligo......Page 494 18.3.4.1 Repigmentation by PUVA Therapy......Page 495 18.3.5 Khellin Photochemotherapy of Vitiligo......Page 496 Bibliography......Page 497 19.1.1 Principles......Page 500 19.1.2 Tumor Selectivity of PDT......Page 502 19.1.4.1 Cells in Vitro......Page 503 19.1.4.2.1 Vascular Damage in Phototherapy......Page 504 19.2 A New Approach to Treatment of Manlignancy Comes to Trial: A Selection of Early Case Reports With Hematoporphyrin Derivatives......Page 506 19.2.1.1 HPD PDT of Endobronchial Lung Cancer......Page 507 19.2.2 PDT of Bladder Cancer......Page 508 19.2.3 PDT in Extensive Basal Cell Carcinoma of tlie Dorsal Skin......Page 509 19.2.4 PDT of Brain Tumors......Page 510 19.2.6 Photodynamic Therapy of Diseases Other Than Tumors......Page 511 19.4.1 Long-Wavelength Absorbing Photosensitizers......Page 512 19.4.2 Photodynamic Therapy with Endogenous Protoporphyrin IX......Page 513 Bibliography......Page 516 Index......Page 520 Photobiology integrates a wide variety of scientific disciplines. As more people become aware of the many ways light interacts with chemical and biological systems, the need for a concise treatment of photobiology has become more critical. Kohen et al. Have written just such a book, intended both as a textbook and as a reference.
The authors begin by providing a brief description of the nature of light, how it affects matter, and the means and methods of measuring it. A major section of the book is devoted to how light influences living systems, including discussions of photosynthesis, bioluminescence, regulatory mechanisms, and visual transduction of light. The last half of the book is devoted to the biomedical aspects of light, including photoimmunology, photoallergic reactions and other forms of light sensitivity, the optical properties of skin, and various ways that light can be used in therapy treatments.
Useful to photobiologists as a comprehensive overview, this book should also appeal to biomedical researchers and advanced students of photobiology.