In the last decade optoacoustic (photoacoustic) imaging has grown significantly to a powerful optical imaging platform suitable for basic research, clinical translation, and drug discovery. Advances in the system design, laser and ultrasound detection technology in conjugation with the ability to visualize a large range of anatomical, functional and molecular bio-markers have led to new and exciting ways of visualizing structure and function in biological tissue. 

One of the promising aspects of the optoacoustic methodology is its versatility, manifested in the numerous distinct imaging concepts employed in it: multispectral imaging, nonlinear imaging, real-time imaging, tomography, microscopy, endoscopy, etc. Label-free imaging of functional parameters of vasculature including hemoglobin oxygenation and oxygen metabolism can be combined with simultaneous detection of exogenous molecular agents to provide more complete views of pathologies at appropriate scales from optical diffraction-limited microscopy to depths of several centimeters. 

Additionally, the ability to detect nanoparticles of interest by means of their optical absorption enables unique in vivo visualization. This emerging field of the imaging sciences integrates many scientific disciplines from physics and engineering to chemistry and biotechnology. It is the aim of this conference to bring together those disciplines which make up the optoacoustic field with particular emphasis on development and adaption of optoacoustic technology to enable novel biological and clinical applications. All areas in optoacoustic sensing and imaging are welcomed, from hardware and algorithmic developments, to novel concept, applications and contrast generation mechanisms, including photo-absorbing agents and nanoparticles.