The Biophotonics Group at the Division of Atomic Physics (Lund University) is pursuing a diversified research programme related to biomedical optics. The work is based on a long experience of laser spectroscopy. Research on the medical applications of laser-induced fluorescence for diagnostic purposes was initiated as early as 1982. The group has since been growing and is presently working within several medical and pharmaceutical applications. This includes research on for example photodynamic therapy of prostate cancer, in vivo monitoring of human tissue, as well as industrial applications such as spectroscopy of pharmaceutical materials. A common factor is the spectroscopic and optical analysis of complex, highly scattering materials such as biological tissue and porous pharmaceutical solids.