On May 16, we celebrate the International Day of Light – a moment to recognize one of the most powerful drivers of discovery, innovation, and technological progress. In 2026, the theme of this day is “Light for a Sustainable Future,” highlighting how light-based science and technology contribute to sustainable development worldwide.

In Biophotonics, we use light as a tool to gain new insights and advance therapy and diagnostics. Light thus helps achieve life-saving medical advances and move toward a more sustainable and healthier future. In our institute, we use a special form of light scattering, so-called Raman scattering. Each Raman scattered photon carries information about the scattering molecules, providing insight into chemical compositions and processes.

Raman spectroscopy harnesses light to trace molecular fingerprints and “see” the invisible. With this technique, we can, e.g., detect drugs in urine or blood plasma and accurately determine their concentration. In that way, we continue to push the boundaries of biomedical research and clinical application. Currently, our efforts are focused in the LOEWE cluster MultiDrug-TDM. Here, light is our primary tool to monitor drug levels at the point of care in real time, aiming for therapies that are safer,- more precise, and personalized.

The International Day of Light is a reminder: Innovation often begins with a new way of seeing.

Let’s continue to research and use light to build a sustainable and healthy future!