In order to better understand fluorescence, researchers at the Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging Lab, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University have developed an instrument that can collect and analyze fluorescence without surgically removing any tissue or touching the tissue. This instrument takes pictures of oral cavity fluorescence through a microscope. The instrument also takes regular live pictures. Scientists hope to study the pictures to better understand the differences in fluorescence from normal and abnormal cells. The instrument is a standard medical microscope similar to ones used by doctors in their offices to examine people's ears. Researchers have attached a special light source to the microscope that provides different colors of light. In addition, the microscope has a digital camera attached to it so that the researchers can record what they see with the different light colors.