Following the previous OWLS conferences devoted to optics in life sciences, the 5th Conference focused on recent achievements in applying lasers and optics in biomedicine and in the preservation of our cultural heritage. Particular attention is thus paid to laser diagnostics in medicine, interaction of laser radiation with biological tissue, and the development of new systems for these studies. The contributors to this volume cover such international research activities as photon migration in tissue, fibre optics, lasers in dermatology, ENT, cardiology, and in art conservation, imaging techniques in archaeology, laser technologies in contemporary art, and new laser and opto-electronic systems for biomedical and art-related studies.