Atomic-resolution mapping of transcription factor-DNA interactions by femtosecond laser crosslinking and mass spectrometry.

Transcription factors (TFs) regulate target genes by specific interactions with DNA sequences. Detecting and understanding these interactions at the molecular level is of fundamental importance in biological and clinical contexts. Crosslinking mass spectrometry is a powerful tool to assist the structure prediction of protein complexes but has been limited to the study of protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions.

CARS-imaging guidance for fs-laser ablation precision surgery.

Due to ageing populations the number of tumors is increasing worldwide. Successful surgical treatment requires complete resection of tumors to reduce recurrence rates. To reach this goal, novel methods combining in vivo tumor and tumor margin detection with low invasive precision surgical tools are needed.

Analysis of pulse front tilt in simultaneous spatial and temporal focusing.

Simultaneous spatial and temporal focusing (SSTF) has gained enormous interest for controlling the focal region of ultrashort pulses in the material processing community. In this paper, we provide theoretical insight in the nature of SSTF. We use numerical simulations to propagate the initial pulse through the focusing lens and into the focal region.

A feasibility study on femtosecond laser thrombolysis.

Objective: In this feasibility study, we investigate possible femtosecond laser thrombolysis.

Background Data: Because of low pulse energies, femtosecond laser surgery inherently minimizes side effects on the surrounding tissue. Moreover, current femtosecond laser sources as well as fiber technology allow consideration of catheter-based treatments.

An in vitro study on focusing fs-laser pulses into ocular media for ophthalmic surgery.

Background And Objective: To investigate femtosecond (fs)-laser patterns within ocular media for ophthalmic surgery.

Methods: Vitreous and crystalline lens tissue from porcine eyes were treated with 2-dimensional fs-laser patterns and inspected under the optical microscope. Time resolved pump-probe experiments were conducted on vitreous tissue and gelatin, which should act as a model for crystalline lens tissue.

Optical side-effects of fs-laser treatment in refractive surgery investigated by means of a model eye.

Optical side-effects of fs-laser treatment in refractive surgery are investigated by means of a model eye. We show that rainbow glare is the predominant perturbation, which can be avoided by randomly distributing laser spots within the lens. For corneal applications such as fs-LASIK, even a regular grid with spot-to-spot distances of ~3 µm is sufficient to minimize rainbow glare perception.

Pig lenses in a lens stretcher: implications for presbyopia treatment.

Purpose: To investigate porcine lenses in a lens stretcher with regard to presbyopia corrective procedures.

Methods: A lens stretching device was designed, which allows to simultaneously determine all relevant geometrical and optical parameters at each stretch position. The setup was used to compare the optical and geometrical lens properties of young slaughter pigs (n = 5) with older sows (n = 7).

Analysis of optical side-effects of fs-laser therapy in human presbyopic lens simulated with modified contact lenses.

Background: In a single-blinded study, optical side-effects of a potential femtosecond (fs)-laser therapy in presbyopic human lenses were tested. Simulation of this therapy was carried out by applying fs-laser patterns into standard contact lenses (CL).

Methods: In the first part of the study, the influence of the numerical aperture on optical side-effects was investigated by comparing a typical fs-LASIK configuration to a fs-presbyopia treatment (n = 11).

Femtosecond laser treatment of the crystalline lens: a 1-year study of possible cataractogenesis in minipigs.

Background: To investigate the long-term stability and possible cataractogenesis after femtosecond laser treatment of the crystalline lens.

Methods: The crystalline lenses of ten Göttingen minipigs® underwent femtosecond laser treatment. During a subsequent 1-year follow-up, the pigs were monitored by means of slit-lamp examination of the anterior segment and Scheimpflug imaging of the lens.