Guest Editorial: Terahertz imaging and spectroscopy for biology and biomedicine

In this issue of the IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics (J-BHI), we have a special section on Terahertz Imaging and Spectroscopy for Biology and Biomedicine. This special section has been coordinated with the support of the IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science Technology (T-TST) to promote and inspire research in potential biomedical applications of the terahertz technology. Due to the unique sensitivity of the terahertz light to intermolecular interactions, terahertz spectroscopy may have capabilities to detect lower concentrations of biomarkers than other spectroscopy techniques. This in turn could enable early detection and diagnosis which would also lead to better patient prognosis and less strain on healthcare providers. Much research still needs to be done to meet these aims both on the spectroscopy and imaging side and the health informatics side. In this special issue, we have contributions ranging from terahertz spectroscopy of proteins to terahertz imaging of biological tissues. Additionally, we have a paper on how adaptive compressed sensing can be employed to speed up terahertz spectroscopy and imaging and a paper discussing the feasibility of using the terahertz light for endometrial tissue ablation. The papers are then briefly summarized.