All three days of the workshop are free. There is no registration fee.

The speakers for the current program are:

• "Spectroscopy with milliMolar photons: moving from cuvettes to cells and tissues" will discuss how klm modelocked lasers have made it possible to apply all the principles of nanosecond fluorometry to 1) picosecond and faster phenomena in thin films and 2) to living cells and tissue. Global analysis yielded Decay Associated Spectra (DAS) in cuvettes; in cells, one can glean DAI (Decay Associated Images). Quenching yielded temporal and structural data in cuvettes; now, it yields nanoscopic resolution in space (and again, time resolution pulls even more out of such methods).

• In his talk "Fluorescence between the sheets" David Birch will discuss fluorescence probe spectroscopy in the context of two biomolecular systems capable of forming sheet structures that are relevant to disease. These are beta-amyloid (A ) aggregation and Alzheimer's disease and the unknown structure of eumelanin and its bearing on melanoma. There are some perhaps surprising similarities between the two, but different fluorescence approaches are required.

• Discovering arctic emissions with the Aqualog, Rose M. Cory. In the Alaskan Arctic, excitation-emission matrix (EEM) characterization of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) provides information on the source and processing of carbon released from thawing permafrost soils with important implications for the fate of carbon in a warming world. EEM analysis in the field on the Aqualog has significantly advanced the temporal and spatial analysis of DOC given the unique advantages of concurrent UV-VIS and EEM analysis combined with short analysis time.

• Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence: Progress towards a Unified Plasmon-Fluorophore Description.
  In recent years the IoF has described in over 150 peer-reviewed publications the favorable interactions and outcomes of both plasmon supporting particles (Ag, Au, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr) and substrates with electronically excited states. These favorable effects have included significantly enhanced fluorescence emission from singlet states, S1 and S2, as well as enhanced phosphorescence yields from triplet, T1, states (MEP). In addition, we have observed and described plasmon enhanced chemiluminescence intensities (MEC), as well as highly directional surface plasmon coupled Fluorescence. As a result of enhanced triplet yields, we have also observed both enhanced singlet oxygen and superoxide anion yields.
  These favorable influences on the photophysical properties of close proximity excited states to plasmon supporting substrates / particles has led to wealth of biochemical applications, such as the high sensitivity and ultra fast detection of proteins, DNA, RNA and ultra bright and photostable metal-enhanced fluorescence based particles for downstream cellular imaging applications. In addition, there are a lot downstream applications for MEP, such as in photodynamic therapy by surface plasmon controlled single oxygen generation.
  Current thinking, describes Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence as the near-field coupling of electronic excited states to surface plasmons (a surface mirror dipole), the particle subsequently radiating the photophysical characteristics of the coupled excited state quanta. In this lecture, we communicate our recent findings for metal-fluorophore interactions, our current thinking and progress towards developing a unified metal-fluorophore description and the subsequent development of ultra fast and sensitive sensing platforms for pathogen DNA.

• Fluorescence-based biosensors marry the high sensitivity and versatility of fluorescence transduction with the extreme selectivity and flexibility of biomolecules as sensor recognition elements. Fluorescence methods particularly lend themselves to studying cell biology through the microscope, as well as remote analysis through optical fibers. Thus fluorescence sensors can be used to study levels and fluxes of metal ions such as zinc and copper, which are important to understanding their biology and chemistry in organisms and in natural waters. We will discuss some examples of such sensors and their applications, as well as useful attributes and pitfalls in their use in cell biology, biochemistry, geochemistry, and environmental monitoring.

• Field Applications for Excitation-Emission Matrix (EEM) Fluorescence Spectroscopy.
• Excitation-Emission Matrix(EEM)Fluorescence Spectroscopy can be a useful tool in characterizing the ubiquitous natural organic matter(NOM)fluorescent moieties found in aquatic systems.

• Phosphorescent Probes of Molecular Mobility in Amorphous Biomaterials. The stability of dried and frozen foods, the viability of seeds and spores, and the survival of plants and animals under desiccation depend on the physical properties and specifically molecular mobility of amorphous biomolecules such as sugars and proteins. The photophysical behavior of the triplet state of aromatic chromophores is especially sensitive to the complex dynamics of these amorphous materials. This talk will outline how the emission energy and intensity of a variety of triplet probes, including erythrosin B, vanillin, and tryptophan, can provide insight into the distribution of dynamic behavior seen in amorphous solid sugars, carbohydrates, and proteins.

• Imaging the structure and movements of proteins with transition metal ion FRET.