Book excerpt: This unique volume contains selected papers presented at the 6th International Conference on Photonics and Imaging in Biology and Medicine (PIBM 2007), held on November 4-6, 2007 at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P R China.PIBM is designed to bring together scientists, engineers and clinical researchers from a variety of disciplines engaged in applying optical science, photonics and imaging technologies to problems in biology and medicine. The scope of this conference ranges from basic research to instrumentation engineering to biological and clinical studies. It is recognized as one of the largest and most comprehensive international conferences in China, and represents the highest level of worldwide research in this field. An increasing number of young researchers are presenting and exchanging their innovative ideas on this friendly and professional platform, thus making PIBM a not-to-be-missed annual meeting in Wuhan.