We’re starting the new year with a note of gratitude to the many contributors who have shared their ideas, results and expertise with BioPhotonics readers. In this and every issue, experts from labs and enterprises around the world keep you updated on the latest technologies and biophotonics applications. If you would like to be one of those contributors this year, please send to my attention a brief abstract of what you would like to present. If it fits our editorial calendar, we’ll put it on the schedule. We look forward to hearing from you. BioPhotonics also is inviting contributors to a Biophotonic Imaging for Medicine digital conference planned for June 11 and hosted by Photonics Media Web Managing Editor James Lowe. For details on how to submit an abstract for consideration, please see page 47. In this month’s cover story, Alec De Grand and Samuel Bonfig, of Olympus, go deep into choosing the best optical microscope for your application. In “Selecting a Microscope Based on Imaging Depth,” beginning on page 26, the authors remind us that, “All imaging techniques seek to maximize signal and decrease noise, but some biological processes occur at the surface, where cell membranes interact with their environments, while others happen deep beneath the surface.” They follow that up with a brisk walk through various methods and associated application depths. Also in this issue: “Lasers, Optics Enhance Optogenetics Studies,” by Niten Olofsson, Iakovos Lazaridis, Konstantinos Meletis and Marie Carlén, of Karolinska Institutet, and Ulf Tingström and Håkan Karlsson, of Cobolt SE, beginning on page 31; “Line-Narrowed Laser Module Enables Spin-Exchange Optical Pumping,” by David Irwin and Tobias Koenning, of Dilas, beginning on page 36; “Raman Spectroscopy and Microscopy: Solving Outstanding Problems in the Life Sciences,” by Dr. Marinella G. Sandros, of University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Dr. Fran Adar, of Horiba Scientific, beginning on page 40; and, “Microspectroscopy Enables Real-Time Imaging of Singlet Oxygen,” by Marek Scholz, of Charles University, and Manjul Shah, of Princeton Instruments, beginning on page 44. Beginning on page 48, we are pleased to present the finalists of the 2015 Prism Awards for Photonics Innovation, presented by Photonics Media and SPIE. In addition to three finalists in the category of Biomedical Instrumentation, there are entries across the eight other categories with potential for application in biophotonics. The winners will be announced at a gala event during Photonics West next month in San Francisco. If you plan to attend Photonics West, I hope you’ll visit the Photonics Media booth. We’ll be exhibiting at BiOS in booth #8522 and in booths #522 and #523 at Photonics West. Enjoy the issue.