The need for optoacoustic microscopy

Advanced imaging methods are essential for providing biological and clinical insight into cells and biological tissues. Optoacoustic imaging is one such method in which cells or tissues absorb short laser pulses and the resulting rise in temperature creates tiny ultrasound waves that can be detected by ultrasonic detectors placed outside the specimen. This noninvasive technique has the ability to look at optical contrast that is millimeters and even centimeters deep with high resolution. This review discusses the basic physics, how the method impacts biological and clinical research, and the latest developments in multimodal microscopy and imaging combining optical and optoacoustic techniques.