The conceptual and technological advancements and findings of the BIRD team have just been put forward for discussion at the International Optica Sensing Congress in Toulouse. Mihaela Žigman (in the picture together with chair Johannes Kunsch) delivered an invited presentation, sparking intense discussions among attendees. The plenum focused on the use and advantages of broadband infrared spectroscopy of blood plasma for population screening. The lively discussions highlighted the potential benefits their approach and technology could offer to society at large. With new bridges being built between scientists from various backgrounds and enthusiastic exchanges of ideas, the future of infrared spectroscopy looks promising and poised to make significant impacts.