“This meeting has given me the opportunity to talk to researchers outside of my specific area of research who I wouldn’t normally meet with – it’s been great for networking.”
– Elly Martin, Postdoctoral Researcher at University College London
The EPSRC Image-Guided Therapies (IGT) Network Meeting brought researchers together to discuss their research and strengthen existing links between academics, clinicians and industry.
Professor Sebastien Ourselin, (University College London), welcomed the network members and emphasized the network’s aim which is to break down silos between researchers and share research ideas and outcomes.
A number of academics presented their work and encouraged attendees to ask questions and look for opportunities to understand and address the relevant scientific challenges together.
Professor Daniel Elson (Imperial College London) was particularly interested in the use of Proteus smart probes (fluorescent molecules that can target and identify bacteria and biological processes) and the imaging technique fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to distinguish between different agents of disease.
Prof. Elson found the research to be relevant and highly informative to his own research and praised the network for organizing the meeting and allowing space and time for discussion.
Fraser Stewart, a PhD student from University of Dundee, described a therapeutic capsule that uses ultrasound imaging to improve treatment of Crohn’s Disease. He spoke to many interested network members during the meeting who were keen to follow his progress in the Sonopill Project.
Other researchers were enthusiastic to discuss their work during the meeting in an effort to drive their research forward.
Professor Adrian Podoleanu, (University of Kent) was also pleased to have been part of the meeting and discuss his research in optical coherence tomography with fellow scientists and look for ways in which to work together.
Tim Devling (iThera Medical) spoke to Proteus’ Dr Philip Emanuel about moving smart probes and Proteus imaging technology into clinic. Tim expressed his satisfaction in hearing about this new development from laboratory to clinic: “We have been waiting for this technology to move into clinic for a long time – now it has and that is a really big leap forward,” he said.
Read more about the aims of the IGT Network and up coming events
.