The 5th Russian_Chinese Workshop on Biophotonics and Biomedical Optics was hosted in Saratov, Russia on 26_28, September, 2012. The bilateral Workshop brought together both Russian and Chinese scientists, engineers and clinical researchers from a variety of disciplines engaged in applying optical science, photonics and imaging technologies to problems in biology and medicine. During the Workshop, 2 plenary lectures, 11 invited presentations, 4 oral presentations and 13 poster reports were presented. A special Internet session with 5 presentations—1 plenary, 2 invited, and 2 posters, was also organized. This special issue selects some papers from the attendees, and is made up of 12 original research articles and one review. Seven articles have been presented in Vol. 6, No. 1 of JIOHS; this issue presents the remaining six articles.