Research

Translational Imaging Group

The development and translation of novel imaging hardware, techniques & biomarkers is in direct response to clinical needs and involves a wide range of expertise. The Centre for Translational Imaging (CTI) hosts researchers with interests spanning across three synergetic research areas:  MRI physics & bioengineering, basic science & preclinical research, and translational & clinical research.

CTI acts as a platform for the translation of novel imaging methods to industry (with industrial partners such as scanner and RF coil manufacturers) and clinical practice (with direct ties to NHS medical physics and radiology).

Ongoing research projects are carried in collaboration with colleagues across the College of Medicine, Veterinary & Life Science and worldwide collaborators.  At the University of Glasgow, CTI benefits from cutting edge imaging facilities including 7T and 3T clinical scanners at the Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE: Queen Elizabeth University Hospital) and two 7T preclinical scanners at the Glasgow Experimental MRI Centre (GEMRIC: Garscube campus).

The core of CTI research and impact covers three research subfields:  

• Imaging hardware & acquisition methods
• Quantitative Imaging methods and imaging biomarkers
• Application of novel imaging methods to characterise disease and biological and mechanisms

Imaging hardware & acquisition methods

Research involving the development of hardware and software for enhancing existing image acquisition methods or allowing novel metrics to be acquired.

RF coil development: Creating cutting-edge coils for new applications of ultra-high field (UHF) MRI (e.g. head-and-neck coil, clinical 7T coil, first-of-kind 11.7T coil).

Novel acquisition methods: Developing advanced techniques, like parallel transmission (pTx), to overcome technical challenges of UHF MRI and to improve image quality.

MRI sequence development: Designing specialised sequences for specific applications (e.g. spectroscopy for metabolic analysis, perfusion for blood flow measurement, and blood-brain barrier permeability assessment).

Quantitative Imaging methods and imaging biomarkers

Research involving the development of adapted image analysis tools and calibration items allowing to assess the quantitative nature of imaging metrics and translate those into imaging biomarkers for the characterisation of healthy and diseased function.

Image analysis methods: Developing advanced algorithms to extract quantitative information from images, typically producing functional maps (e.g. brain perfusion map).

Validation of imaging biomarkers: Rigorously validating the reliability and accuracy of imaging biomarkers for characterising disease progression and biological processes.

Engineered phantoms: Creating realistic calibration models to standardise and validate imaging techniques and ensure consistency across research studies.

Applications to disease, biological mechanisms & beyond

Research focusing on the deployment of novel or optimised imaging modalities and biomarkers to probe biological mechanisms and disease patterns in preclinical models or humans.

Characterising disease: Applying imaging techniques to study diseases (e.g. stroke, brain tumours), identifying early-stage biomarkers, facilitating diagnosis and guiding treatment decisions.

Probing biological mechanisms: Investigating fundamental biological processes, such as the immune system and glymphatic system, to gain new insights into healthy mechanisms and disease pathogenesis.

Exploring physico-chemical systems: Applying imaging techniques to engineering and science research, studying mechanisms in fields such as materials science and fluid dynamics.