Imaging has become an essential part of the biomedical sciences, not only for diagnosis within clinical medicine and the delivery and objective monitoring of subsequent therapy, but also for providing unique insights into causation of disease, pathophysiology and the translation of novel treatments from the laboratory into patients.
Through diverse initiatives and risk sharing between funding agencies including the NHS (local, regional, and national – NIHR), University, Charities (local and national: Wellcome Trust, CRUK, etc), Research Councils (MRC, EPSRC) and Industry, the Cambridge Biomedical campus has established excellent imaging facilities (CT, MR, ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, PET, and radiochemistry, MEG); PET/CT has been in place since the end of 2008 courtesy of the recent successful NIHR Biomedical Centre bid, again helped by Industry and the Cambridge University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
An experienced, innovative and expanding group of imaging scientists develop their own ideas and collaborations whilst providing support for clinical researchers and their carefully characterised patient populations. The Clinical School has formed an Imaging Strategy Group whose aim is to:
- create a world class imaging group to facilitate experimental and translational medicine
- improve cohesion and interaction between imaging groups and stakeholders
- expand and maintain state-of-the-art research capacity with cost-effective purchasing
- underpin intramural and extramural collaborations to maximise productivity
- increase industrial, university and research charity partnerships
- create a School of Imaging Science to train the next generation of imaging scientists
- establish better ring-fenced time and infrastructure for staff to fulfil their R&D potential
Publications
Cambridge imagers have demonstrated considerable innovation and research excellence over several years generating 70-100 peer reviewed imaging related papers per annum – See publications and staff lists.