Partners - ILC

Description: The International Laser Centre in Bratislava was established in 1997 as an independent research
institution, aiming to create a key national platform for education, research and development in advanced
laser and photonics technologies in Slovakia. It is based on an interdisciplinary approach, sharing technology
through several core laboratories dedicated to microscopic (optical, LSM, AFM, SEM), spectroscopic
(fluorescence, Raman, NIR-THz, ToF-SIMS) and time-resolved (femtosecond to real-time) techniques,
together with laser technology, applied optics and information technology laboratories. The main focus of
ILC is development, application and dissemination of photonics techniques in new emerging areas such as
life sciences, nanotechnology or biotechnology.

Excellence: Important scientific achievements include: development of experimental and algorithmic tools
for spectrally resolved confocal microscopy and multi-wavelength fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy of
intrinsic cell fluorophores, study of anti-cancer effect of natural photosensitizers on molecular and cellular
level, research on new sources and techniques of supercontinuum generation in photonic-crystal fibers using
femtosecond laser pulses, study of physical chemistry of photoactive molecules, development of new
techniques for characterization of biosensors and biomaterials, etc.

Main tasks: ILC participates in the networking activities being responsible for the workpackage NA4: User
Community Training and taking part in NA7 as National Contact Point. Involved in JRA OPTBIO (task
2.B.3).

Previous experience: Member of European Technological Platform Photonics 21, ILC is currently involved
in more than 35 national and international research projects (including NATO, COST, FP6) providing
regular access to its infrastructure and organizing international conferences and workshops. It is closely
linked to graduate and post-graduate research programmes at several faculties of major Slovak universities.

Address:

International Laser Center

Ilkovicova 3

841 04 Bratislava

Slovak Republic

Tel.: +421 (2) 654 21 575