Laser Analytics of Gas Samples in Life Science

Lasers have found a wide-spread application in life sciences, in particular in the field of biomedical research and clinical diagnostics. To date, these applications mainly involve laser-based instruments for imaging purposes or for therapeutic use, the latter exploiting the thermal or ablative effect of laser radiation interacting with biological tissue. However, modern laser systems get more and more useful also for analytical purposes in biomedical research. This contribution is intended to introduce the particular demands, advantages and problems of laser-based analytical techniques in life sciences, and to discuss in particular the medical and clinical aspects.