Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences Faculty Research Group
The Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences Faculty Research Group (FRG) is divided into three main areas of research, which are the development and use of medical imaging for animals and humans; radiation therapy; and mammography screening.
The Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences group is one of the few groups of its kind in the world to combine the complementary skills of leading researchers from all three of the relevant areas of expertise: Medicinal Chemistry - Associate Professor Michael Kassiou; Medical Physics - Associate Professor Steven Meikle; and Neuro-Biology and Psychiatry - Professor Richard Banati.
The Group conducts research into medical imaging, including PET, SPECT, MRI and MR-spectroscopy, as well as treatment modalities based on ionizing radiation.
Areas of research include
- the development of novel biomarkers for in vivo imaging of receptor expression and cell function,
- the development of high resolution instruments and quantitative data analysis methods for in vivo imaging,
- the use of imaging for the study of human diseases and disease models, and
- the optimization of image-guided radiation therapy and population screening
The team focuses on using techniques with radio-pharmaceuticals for the imaging of small laboratory animals for basic research through to more applied techniques in humans. The work is carried out at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Research Institute, a cross-faculty research institute that, in terms of facilities and equipment, is comparable to the best medical imaging facilities anywhere in the world.
Much of the research is related to neuro-imaging – that is, looking into ways of exploring the bio-chemical basis of mental disease, both neuro-degenerative and psychiatric disorders. However, the group has connections and affiliations that spread beyond neurology and psychiatry and, as a result, is also involved in imaging for other applications, such as Cancer and other degenerative diseases.
The type of imaging carried out is primarily with the use of radio-pharmaceuticals – chemical entities in the form of drugs that are used in medical treatments or, alternatively, molecules that are found naturally in the body, such as peptides and proteins.
These molecules are labelled with a radio-isotope, which researchers can detect externally using specialised, high-resolution equipment, to form an image of the radio-pharmaceutical distribution throughout the body. This is to answer questions such as: What is the molecule doing when it is administered into the bloodstream? When it gets to a particular region of the brain, how much is it taken up? Does it bind to the receptors in that part of the brain? If we inject a different drug, will it displace the labelled molecule?
Other major components of the medical imaging research involves developing both new equipment and new drugs, new molecules that have unique features but are suitable as radio-pharmaceuticals for imaging applications.
The second major area of the FRG’s research, radiation therapy, led by Associate Professor Jenny Cox, is primarily clinic-focused, with the team having enduring links with all the major teaching hospitals in radiation therapy throughout Sydney.
The team researches a wide range of issues – such as, patient position during radiotherapy; effective communication with patients and their families; and the psychological effects of undergoing cancer treatment, including stress and anxiety.
Similarly, the breast imaging research group, led by Dr Ann Poulos, has strong collaborations with Breast Screen NSW, the government-funded initiative which has units in all major teaching hospitals. Dr Poulos’ patient-focused research looks at a range of issues, including ways of improving the quality of breast images and identifying the effects mammography tests have on women.
Convenor: Associate Professor Michael Kassiou
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Postgraduate Coordinator: Associate Professor Jenny Cox
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Research Group Administrator: Mrs Ingrid Singleton
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Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences FRG includes four research teams
Molecular Biomarkers and Radioligand Development
Team Leader: Associate Professor Michael Kassiou
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Includes lead molecule identification, medicinal chemistry, structure-activity relationships and radiochemistry.
Imaging Physics and Biomodelling
Team Leader: Associate Professor Steven Meikle
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Making a World of Difference to Radio Pharmaceutical Imaging read more - Associate Professor Steven Meikle
Pharmacology of Molecular Biomarkers,
focusing on neuropsychiatry, including the neurobiology of developmental, addiction, pain and chronic fatigue
Team Leader: Professor Richard Banati
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Cancer Research
including screening, diagnosis and therapy
Team Leaders: Associate Professor Jenny Cox
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Dr Ann Poulos
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Includes screening, diagnosis and therapy .