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Meeting: PhoBioS COST Action Meeting & Special Session at SPIE Photonics Europe 2026 in Strasbourg

COST Working Group meeting, Action CA21159, Understanding interaction light – biological surfaces: possibility for new electronic materials and devices (PhoBioS).

 

Various biological surfaces are known to be covered by elaborated micro- and nano-structures, serving a number of functions (e.g. anti-reflective, structural coloration, anti-fouling, pro- or anti-adhesive, etc.) and inspiring numerous industrial applications. Recent years have witnessed a remarkable boost in research in this field. To a large extent, this boost owes to the increasing interdisciplinary of approaches being applied to the study of structured biosurfaces. Sciences as different as classical zoology and botany are inseminated with the advances in genetics and molecular biology; biologists collaborate more and more with nanotechnologists, materials scientists and engineers – all these contribute to the widening of the horizons of research on micro- and nano-structured biological surfaces, and to biomimetic and bioengineering applications of these surfaces in industry. We aim at ‘riding the wave’ of these developments with our proposal. The main goal of the COST Action “Understanding interaction light – biological surfaces: possibility for new electronic materials and devices” is to bring together scientists coming from distinct disciplines into this vibrant field of research, focusing on the photonic effects of nano-and micro-structuring of biological surfaces and their bionic applications. Our consortium will ensure cross-inspiration among the different participants coming from different research fields and will boost innovation in research and eventual industrial developments.


Session Date: 13-14 April 202

PHOBIOS at SPIE Photonics Europe 2026

Join the PHOBIOS Special Session and COST Working Group Meeting in Strasbourg

The PHOBIOS community will gather in Strasbourg for a combined face-to-face event that connects the
COST Action Working Group Meeting with the PHOBIOS Special Session at SPIE Photonics Europe 2026.
This format creates a strong opportunity to present research, meet collaborators, and strengthen interdisciplinary exchange
across biophotonics, light–matter interactions, biomedical sensing, imaging, and bioinspired photonic surfaces.

Event at a glance

Event: New Frontiers in Light-Based Technology

Format: Face to face

Venue: Hilton Strasbourg

Location: Strasbourg, France

Dates

13 April 2026: Core Group + Working Group meetings

14 April 2026: PHOBIOS Special Session / Workshops / Conference activities

Scientific focus

Biophotonic surfaces, light–matter interactions, biomedical sensing and imaging,
structured biological surfaces, optical diagnostics, and translational photonics.

Important opportunity for authors

If your paper has already been accepted for SPIE Photonics Europe 2026, you may still request
to have it redirected to the PHOBIOS Special Session. This may make your contribution
eligible for the PHOBIOS financial support package.

Authors interested in joining the PHOBIOS session should contact Prof. Dror Fixler
by 13 March 2026. Every effort will be made to check with SPIE whether the change is still possible.

How to join

1

Review the session details and scientific scope on the SPIE conference page.

2

If you already have an accepted contribution, request a redirection to the PHOBIOS Special Session.

3

Contact the session coordinator before the deadline to maximize the chance of inclusion and support.

Why this session matters

This special session is designed to strengthen the PHOBIOS research network by bringing together experts
from photonics, materials science, biomedical engineering, sensing, imaging, and bioinspired technologies.
It offers a focused scientific environment within a major international SPIE event, while also supporting
collaboration and dissemination within the COST Action framework.

Researchers at different career stages are encouraged to participate, especially those whose work bridges
fundamental light–matter interaction studies with practical biomedical or environmental applications.

Contact

Prof. Dror Fixler
Tel Aviv University

Email: fixeled@tauex.tau.ac.il

View session details

Note: Financial support is subject to PHOBIOS / COST Action rules, eligibility criteria,
and available budget. Participants are encouraged to contact the organizers as early as possible.