Methods of Studying Ultraweak Photon Emission from Biological Objects: I. History, Types and Properties, Fundamental and Application Significance

Abstract: This review is devoted to the methods for studying the ultraweak luminescence of biological objects; in addition to modern methods aimed at studies in the visible, near-infrared, and near-ultraviolet ranges, considerable attention is paid to the analysis of the methodology for studying the component belonging to the middle ultraviolet range (called mitogenetic radiation in early works). Studies of mitogenetic radiation were carried out in 1923–1948 and remain partially controversial. Many of the results, which were revolutionary for that time, have already been confirmed and the scientific problems of the rest are of significant interest (for example, fundamental results concerning cell division and carcinogenesis and early cancer diagnostics); therefore, the analysis of their methodology is relevant for further experimental verification of these studies. The first part of the review covers the common questions like the history of research and development of methodology, types and properties of ultra-weak photon emission, basic terms, fundamental and application significance of research (the second and the third parts will review biological and physical methods). © 2021, Pleiades Publishing, Inc.