Biomedical Imaging and Biosensing MD

University of Liverpool

Our Biomedical Imaging and Biosensing research degree offers the opportunity to undertake a multi-disciplinary research project in physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. You’ll explore the application of novel imaging and analytical approaches to the study of normal physiology and disease mechanisms, leading to new detection, diagnosis and therapeutic approaches to human disease.IntroductionThe Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology (ISMIB) was established to integrate cutting-edge and clinical research across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. Programmes of work across ISMIB are varied and are led by world experts in their fields.The Centre for Preclinical Imaging, part of Liverpool Shared Research Facilities, provides expertise and infrastructure for non-invasive imaging in preclinical models. Our preclinical imaging technologies include high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), computed tomography (CT), magnetic particle imaging (MPI), optical imaging, photo-acoustic imaging, ultrasound and a targeted hyperthermia unit. Novel applications of these imaging technologies and contrast mechanisms are constantly being developed that will aid the further development and refinement of regenerative medicine therapies, and facilitate areas such as developmental biology, neurobiology, physiology, pharmacology and cancer.Our postgraduate researchers use state-of-the-art technologies. These include (MRI), MPI and PET to enable non-invasive assessment of anatomy and function, optical imaging to assess protein expression and reporter gene expression, ultrasound for the measurement of blood flow and vascularity, and photo-acoustic imaging to facilitate assessment of renal function or cancer hypoxia. All of these have widespread applications for diagnostics and therapeutic interventions in neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, physiology, musculoskeletal biology and other relevant fields.Research topicsResearch topics you could specifically focus on include:Monitoring organ structure and function in health and disease, including the kidney, liver, neuro/central nervous system, and imaging cancerTracking cells labelled with contrast agents such as Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs), for example stem cell tracking