Introduction
Advances in non-invasive imaging are major contributors to the substantial progress made in medicine over recent decades. Many diseases previously only diagnosed in situ or post mortem can now be detected, characterised and monitored in vivo (i.e. in a living human being) with great precision. However, major challenges and opportunities exist, and we have only witnessed the beginnings of a revolution in imaging that will drive major advances in personalised healthcare.
Medical Imaging forms a multifaceted tool encompassing physical principles, devices and instrumentation to data handling, image analysis and machine learning. Concerted progress is essential to drive cost-effective technological innovations into the NHS.
Through close inter-disciplinary partnerships among basic scientists and clinical imaging researchers, Oxford has an internationally leading reputation in medical image acquisition, analysis, clinical translation and commercialisation. We are one of the UK’s most active imaging hubs for leading single and multicentre studies. Many of our researchers have directly influenced clinical guidelines and are actively changing clinical practice.
The theme draws on dedicated research imaging facilities at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and the University of Oxford:
- The Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research (OCMR) is a World-leading centre for MRI research in heart and abdomen, and was recently expanded by additional floor. It provides 1300sqm, houses 50 researchers, a 1.5 and two 3T MRI systems, as well as a 13C hyperpolariser.
- Functional MRI of the Brain Centre (FMRIB) partnering with Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity (OHBA): A world-leading brain MRI research centre accommodating 140 researchers with whole body 7T and 3T MRI scanners and magnetoencephalography.
- The Acute Vascular Imaging Centre (AVIC) is a unique facility dedicated to acute vascular diseases (MI, stroke). Adjacent to the emergency department, it integrates high dependency bays with 3T MRI and a cath lab.
- The Cancer Imaging Centre is a leading cancer and respiratory centre with state of the art hyperpolarised xenon, MRI, CT, PET-CT and GMP radiochemistry facilities.
Additional world class facilities include the Institute of Biomedical Engineering Image Analysis groups, the Department of Computer Science, for translation of ultrasound developments the Clinical Cardiovascular Research Facility and the Women’s Centre, and for gastroenterology research the Translational Gastroenterology Unit/Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.
Theme Lead: Professor Stefan Neubauer
Deputy Theme Leads: Professors Fergus Gleeson, Peter Jezzard and Alison Noble
In the new BRC Imaging Theme, we are working on developments in Imaging Innovation that have the potential to substantially advance the state-of-the-art of clinical care, and to address many disease-focused challenges across Research Themes within Oxford BRC, Oxford Health BRC, the wider NIHR infrastructure, and with industry partners. Our projects are described in the various sub-pages of our theme’s website. These developments will benefit patients and society, by improving diagnosis, treatment monitoring, increasing efficiency and saving healthcare costs.
Watch a talk by the Imaging theme lead, Professor Stefan Neubauer, about advances in cardiac imaging:
Watch a talk by deputy theme lead Professor Fergus Gleeson on the history of medical imaging: