The The use use of of lasers lasers in in medicine medicine has has opened opened up up entirely entirely new new fields fields of of therapy therapy and and diagnosis. diagnosis. However, However, progess progess in in the the technical technical application application of of lasers, lasers, which which often often results results in in the the sudden sudden eclipse eclipse of of previous previous techniques, techniques, far far outpaces outpaces that that in in medicine medicine itself. itself. Know-how Know-how can can be be acquired acquired only only through through exacting exacting investigations investigations by by researchers researchers and and clinicians, clinicians, and and close close collaboration collaboration between between them them is is necessary necessary if if we we are are to to understand understand the the tremendously tremendously com­ plicated plicated biosystem biosystem that that is is the the "human "human being". being". With With the the desirability desirability of of rapid rapid exchange exchange and and discussion discussion of of ideas ideas and and findings findings in in mind, mind, the the MUnchener MUnchener Messe- und und Ausstellungs-GmbH Ausstellungs-GmbH organizes organizes biennially biennially the the congress congress LASER LASER OPTOELECTRONICS, OPTOELECTRONICS, which which has has become become a a forum forum for for leading leading experts experts in in laser laser medicine. medicine.