Interaction of light with complex, diffuse media such as biological tissue as well as liquid and gas trapped within is difficult to predict. For example, selection of appropriate wavelengths, source power or source-detector configuration is critical for reliable detecton of target biomarkers. To enable such capability, optical systems must be able to account for tissue optical properties and severe signal attenuation. Using proven, robust protocols for production of accurate tissue optical phantoms (TOF) and standards, Tyndall together with it’s spinout company BioPixs, can create complex, multi-layered TOFs, tailored to the required application. Using this technology, any state of the art optical system can be tested and characterised in advance, prior to clinical studies, ensuring that design issues are resolved ahead of time.