Photoactivatable metal complexes present relatively unexplored potential for novel applications in biotechnology and medicine, ranging from functional imaging agents, diagnostic agents and biosensors, to target-selective photochemotherapeutic agents with low side-effects. But how can this potential be realised? This meeting will bring together photochemists, photophysicists, biotechnologists, medics and industrialists who will critically assess the prospects for rapid advances in this highly interdisciplinary and emerging new field.