Photosensitisers in Biomedicine

Photosensitisers in Biomedicine offers a clear and comprehensive coverage of the many different photosensitiser types, including information on their applications which now extend beyond anticancer therapy. This text offers the most up-to-date coverage of photodynamic therapy including information on how photosensitisers have evolved within the field of cancer therapy and more recently antimicrobial research. The text is clearly defined into three distinct parts beginning with a clear introduction to the various types of photosensitisers. The book then moves on to discuss the chemistry of photosensitisers and closes with their numerous applications, for example, photodynamic therapy, photodiagnosis, photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) and other non-oncological applications such as optical, arterial plaques and stents. An essential text for postgraduate students, researchers and professionals working in the area looking for an up-to-date account of the field. · Takes a 'basics-up' approach to allow non-specialists in the field to follow the routes to potentially useful photosensitisers · Provides an up-to-date coverage of photosensitiser evolution · Includes comprehensive overview of all photosensitiser types, rather than the traditional focus on porphyrins · Includes full coverage of applications · Includes section on oncological photodynamic therapy and the use of photosensitisers against bacteria, viruses, yeast and protozoa · Clear introduction to the subject looking at both the theory and the application