MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
MSc Advanced
Biomedical Imaging
University College London
Course Directors
Prof. Mark Lythgoe
Dr Daniel Stuckey
0
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
Welcome
to our new MSc in Advanced Biomedical Imaging!
Over the last four decades biomedical imaging has revolutionised biological
research and clinical medicine. Innovations continue at increasing pace, new
technologies are being introduced to guide and monitor therapies, as well as
novel approaches to both biology and medicine. The UK is leading in the
development of many imaging technologies, but progress in academia and
industry is hampered by a severe shortage of new biomedical imaging scientists
in this exciting field.
"In the last century biological imaging has changed our view of ourselves and
the world around us" Sir Paul Nurse, Nobel Laureate and President of the Royal
Society
This MSc, taught by leading scientists and clinicians, will equip students with
detailed knowledge of the advanced preclinical imaging techniques which provide
new insights into cellular, molecular and functional processes, preparing them
for a PhD and a career in industry or academia. This programme focusses on
advanced biomedical imaging, specifically the development, validation and use
of preclnical and experimental imaging technologies, such as MRI, optical and
molecular imaging, to identify disease biomarkers essential for detection,
monitoring and prevention of illnesses including cancer, heart diseases and
neurodegeneration.
You will undertake an independent research-based project in UCL’s world-class
laboratories and be closely linked to The UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical
Imaging, a unique research environment with 11 state-of-the-art preclinical
imaging technologies. Biomedical imaging is an interdisciplinary field and we
bring
together
biology,
medicine,
physics,
computing,
engineering,
communication skills, and even art.
“The Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging is dedicated to developing
imaging techniques of the future” Mark Lythgoe, Director of the Centre for
Advanced Biomedical Imaging
1
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
Contents
Modules………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Module leaders…………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
Timetable, term 1…………………………………………………………….………………… 5
Teachers…………………………………………………………………………………………….… 8
Module overviews………………………………………………………………………………… 9
Preliminary examination schedule……………………………………………………… 18
CABI mentors…………………………………….………………………………………………… 19
Extra-curricular activities…………….……………………………………………………… 20
2
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
Modules
Term 1
(Oct 5-Dec 18 2015)
credits
MEDCG020 Advanced Biomedical Imaging Techniques I
15
MEDCG021 Advanced Biomedical Imaging Techniques II
15
MEDCG022 Practical Preclinical Research (includes Home Office Licence)
15
MECHGB08 Medical Imaging - Translating imaging into the clinic
7.5
MEDCG005 Ethics and Regulation of Research
15
Term 2
(Jan 11-March 23rd 2016)
MEDCG023 Translational Biomedical Imaging of Disease & Therapy I
15
MEDCG024 Translational Biomedical Imaging of Disease & Therapy II
15
MEDCG025 Science Communication for Biomedicine
15
MECHGB08 Medical Imaging - Translating imaging into the clinic
7.5
Term 3
(April 25-June 10/Aug 15 2016 – 7/15 weeks)
MEDCG026 Research Project
60
180
3
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
Modules leaders
MEDCG020 & 21
Advanced Biomedical
Imaging Techniques I & II
Dr Bernard Siow
b.siow@ucl.ac.uk
Dr Peter Johnson
peter.johnson@cancer.ucl.ac.uk
MEDCG022
Practical Preclinical
Research
Dr John Connell
j.connell@ucl.ac.uk
Dr Daniel Stuckey
d.stuckey@ucl.ac.uk
Dr Tammy Kalber
t.kalber@ucl.ac.uk
Dr Adam Badar
a.badar@ucl.ac.uk
Prof Mark Lythgoe
m.lythgoe@ucl.ac.uk
Mr Oz Ismail
o.ismail@ucl.ac.uk
MEDCG023 & 24
Translational Biomedical
Imaging of Disease and
Therapy I & II
MEDCG025
Science Communication
for Biomedicine
4
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
Timetable - Term 1
October 2015
M
Tuesday
W
Thursday
F
1
2
8
9
10:00-13:00: MEDCG005
Ethics and Regulation of Research
Rayne 210
S
3
10
S
4
11
5
6
09:00-11:00: MECHGB08
Medical Imaging
Birkbeck Malet Street 254
7
15
16
10:00-13:00: MEDCG005
Ethics and Regulation of Research
Rayne 210
17
18
21
14:00-18:00: MEDCG022
Experimental models - Connell
Roberts 105b
22
23
10:00-13:00: MEDCG005
Ethics and Regulation of Research
Rayne 210
24
25
28
14:00-18:00: MEDCG022
Animal research - Connell
Roberts 105b
29
30
10:00-13:00: MEDCG005
Ethics and Regulation of Research
Rayne 210
31
w6
12
13:00-18:00: MEDCG020
Introduction - Lythgoe, Stuckey
Roberts 105a
13
09:00-11:00: MECHGB08
Medical Imaging
Birkbeck Malet Street 254
14
w7
19
13:00-18:00: MEDCG020
Light - D’Esposito
Roberts 105a
20
09:00-11:00: MECHGB08
Medical Imaging
Birkbeck Malet Street 254
w8
26
13:00-18:00: MEDCG020
MRI - Siow
Roberts 105a
27
09:00-11:00: MECHGB08
Medical Imaging
Birkbeck Malet Street 254
w9
13:00-18:00: MEDCG020
Nuclear imaging - Badar
Roberts 105a
14:00-18:00: MEDCG022
Animal handling practical
CABI
5
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
November 2015
M
Tuesday
W
Thursday
F
S
2
3
09:00-11:00: MECHGB08
Medical Imaging
Birkbeck Malet Street 254
4
5
10:00-13:00: MEDCG005
Ethics and Regulation of Research
Rayne 210
6
7
S
1
8
w10
9
13:00-18:00:
MEDCG020
Ultrasound - Johnson
CABI
10
11
09:00-11:00: MECHGB08
Medical Imaging
Birkbeck Malet Street 254
14:00-18:00: MEDCG022
Study design - Stuckey
Roberts 105b
12
10:00-12:00: MEDCG021
Journal Club
Roberts 105b
13 14
15
19
10:00-12:00: MEDCG021
Journal Club
Roberts 105b
20 21
22
27 28
29
w11
16
13:00-18:00: MEDCG021
Cardiology - Stuckey
Roberts 105a
17
09:00-11:00: MECHGB08
Medical Imaging
Birkbeck Malet Street 254
18
w12
23
13:00-18:00: MEDCG021
Neurology - Wells
Roberts 105a
24
09:00-11:00: MECHGB08
Medical Imaging
Birkbeck Malet Street 254
25
14:00-17:00: MEDCG021
Analysis - segmentation
TBA
26
10:00-12:00: MEDCG021
Journal Club
Roberts 105b
w13
13:00-18:00: MEDCG021
Oncology - Witney
Roberts 105a
14:00-17:00: MEDCG021
Analysis - fitting
TBA
30
6
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
December 2015
M
Tuesday
W
Thursday
F
S
1
09:00-11:00: MECHGB08
Medical Imaging
Birkbeck Malet Street 254
2
3
10:00-12:00: MEDCG021
Journal Club
Roberts 105b
4
5
S
1
6
9
14:00-17:00: MEDCG021
Analysis - registration
TBA
10
10:00-12:00: MEDCG021
Journal Club
Roberts 105b
11
12
13
16
14:00-18:00: MEDCG022
Meet the vets- Connell
Roberts 105b
17
10:00-12:00: MEDCG021
Journal Club
Roberts 105b
18
19
20
21
13:00-18:00: MEDCG021
Emerging technologies - Stuckey
Roberts 105a
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
w14
7
13:00-18:00: MEDCG021
Molecular imaging - Kalber
Roberts 105a
8
09:00-11:00: MECHGB08
Medical Imaging
Birkbeck Malet Street 254
w15
14
13:00-18:00: MEDCG021
Phenotyping - Holmes
Roberts 105a
15
09:00-11:00: MECHGB08
Medical Imaging
Birkbeck Malet Street 254
w16
7
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
Teachers - Term 1
Adam Badar
John Connell
Angela D’Esposito
Holly Holmes
Peter Johnson
Tammy Kalber
Mark Lythgoe
Bernard Siow
Daniel Stuckey
Jack Wells
Tim Witney
a.badar@ucl.ac.uk
j.connell@ucl.ac.uk
angela.d'esposito.12@ucl.ac.uk
h.holmes.11@ucl.ac.uk
peter.johnson@cancer.ucl.ac.uk
t.kalber@ucl.ac.uk
m.lythgoe@ucl.ac.uk
b.siow@ucl.ac.uk
d.stuckey@ucl.ac.uk
jack.wells@ucl.ac.uk
t.witney@ucl.ac.uk
Gillia Munir
Sarah Edwards
g.heppe@alumni.ucl.ac.uk
sarah.edwards@ucl.ac.uk
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MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
Module Overviews
MEDCG020: Advanced Biomedical Imaging Techniques I
Course organisers:
Term 1
Core teaching
Bernard Siow, Peter Johnson
Credits:
Oct 5-Dec 18 2015
Tuesdays 13:00-1800
Thursdays 13:00-17:00 from 17/11/15
15
Preclinical imaging offers a window into the physiology of living models of human
disease. This module will introduce the challenges involved in preclinical imaging
along with an overview of current preclinical imaging methods (Optical, Magnetic
resonance imaging, Nuclear medicine, Ultrasound), followed by detailed
discussion of their application in different organs. A journal club focusing on
established preclinical imaging techniques and their limitations will run in
tandem with lectures and will include unassessed, but compulsory presentations.
Areas






covered
Visualising the invisible - history of imaging across scales
Confocal, multi-photon, tomographic microscopy, BLI
Preclinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy
Preclinical SPECT/PET/CT
Preclinical Ultrasound and Photoacoustic imaging
Image analysis practicals
Assessment:
Deadline:
2 hour exam
10/12/15
9
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
MEDCG021: Advanced Biomedical Imaging Techniques II
Course organisers:
Term 1
Core teaching
Bernard Siow, Peter Johnson,
Credits:
Oct 5-Dec 18 2015
Tuesdays 13:00-1800
Thursdays 10:00-12:00 from 12/11/15
15
Preclinical imaging offers a window into the physiology of living models of human
disease. This module will introduce the need to develop new and more advanced
preclinical imaging methods, then present some of the advanced biomedical
imaging methods that are under development and discuss how these methods
are validated and implemented in the preclinical environment. A journal club
focusing on recent developments in preclinical imaging will run in tandem with
lectures and will include unassessed, but compulsory presentations.
Areas







covered
preclinical imaging in oncology
preclinical imaging in neurology
preclinical imaging in cardiology
Molecular imaging
phenotyping transgenic animals
emerging imaging technology
journal club
Assessment:
Deadline:
3,000 word essay
12 noon 15/01/16
10
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
MEDCG022: Practical Preclinical Research
Course organisers:
Term 1
Core teaching
John Connell, Daniel Stuckey
Oct 5-Dec 18 2015
Thursdays 14:00-1800
Credits:
15
Preclinical research is essential for understanding disease and developing new
therapies. This module will firstly introduce the concept of preclnical research
and model systems in biomedicine, from bacterial cultures, to lower organisms,
small animals, large animals and finally man. Students will then undertake the
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 UCL Training Courses Modules 1-4 to
become fully trained for preclnical research, followed by tutorials to aid
completion of forms required to obtain a Home Office Personal Licence
Areas







covered
Intro to preclinical research and model systems
The need for animal research and its limitations
Study Design
introduction to animal handling - Practical training session
Animal Handling Course (External)
Tutorial on filling in the Home Office Personal Licence forms
Consultation with the UCL Vets
Assessment
Deadline:
exam (50%), course work (50%)
TBA
11
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
MECHGB008: Medical Imaging
Course organiser:
Term 1 and 2
Core teaching
Gillia Munir
Credits:
Oct 5-Dec 18 2015, Jan 11-March 23rd 2016,
Tuesdays 09:00-11:00
This module will introduce you to the principals and applications of medical
imaging. The course will start with imaging priniciples, then move on to X-ray
with CT, ultrasound, nuclear and finally MRI
Assessment:
Deadline:
2 hour exam
TBA (~May 16)
12
15
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
MEDCG005: Ethics and Regulation of Research
Course organiser:
Term 1
Core teaching
Sarah Edwards
Oct 5-Nov 5 2015
Thursdays 10:00-13:00
Areas covered
 Conflicting interests, regulation, ethics review
 Legal and moral basis of consent
 Limits to consent and risk
 Intellectual property
 Clinical trials
 moral rationale for restricting access to new medicines
Assessment
Deadline:
3,000 word essay
12 noon 17/12/15
13
Credits:
15
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
MEDCG023: Translational Biomedical Imaging of Disease
and Therapy I
Course organisers:
Term 2
Core teaching
Tammy Kalber, Adam Badar
Jan 11-March 23rd 2016,
Tuesdays 13:00-18:00
Thursdays 14:00-1600
Credits:
15
Preclinical imaging can determine the mechanisms of pathology in living models
of human disease. This module will explore how advanced imaging methods are
used to develop and test novel therapies in preclinical models of disease.
Experimental therapies for cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases will
be discussed, and the opportunities for using imaging to monitor and guide
optimisation of therapies will be presented. An overview of how these methods
and approaches have been translated to the clinic will also be provided. A journal
club focusing on preclinical imaging applications in development of new therapies
will run in tandem with lectures and will include unassessed, but compulsory
presentations
Areas covered
 Translational Imaging of cancer pathology and therapy
o Subcutaneous tumours – treatments and translation
o Orthotopic tumours – treatments and translation
o Emerging imaging techniques in cancer therapy
 Translational Imaging of neuro pathology and therapy
o Alzheimer's disease – treatments and translation
o Multiple sclerosis – treatments and translation
o Stroke - treatments and translation
o fMRI - applications and translation
 Translational Imaging of cardiac pathology and therapy
o Acute myocardial infarction – treatments and translation
o Chronic heart failure – treatments and translation
Assessment
Deadline:
2 hour exam
10/03/16
14
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
MEDCG024: Translational Biomedical Imaging of Disease
and Therapy II
Credits:
15
Course organisers:
Term 2
Core teaching
Tammy Kalber, Adam Badar
Jan 11-March 23rd 2016,
Tuesdays 13:00-18:00
Thursdays 14:00-1600
Preclinical imaging can assess the efficacy of novel therapies and be used to
guide optimisation of new treatments in living models of human disease. This
module will explore how advanced imaging methods are used to develop and
test novel therapies in preclinical models of disease. Experimental therapies for
cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases will be discussed, and the
opportunities for using imaging to monitor and guide optimisation of therapies
will be presented. An overview of how these methods and approaches have been
translated to the clinic will also be provided. A journal club focusing on preclinical
imaging applications in development of new therapies will run in tandem with
lectures and will include unassessed, but compulsory presentations
Areas covered
 Imaging cell therapy
o Cell labels and cell tracking
o imaging stem cell regeneration
o T-cell imaging - preclinical and translational
 Molecular Imaging
o imaging cell death
o imaging angiogenesis
 Translational Imaging
o successes and failures in translation
o successes and failures in translation
 The future of biomedical imaging
Assessment
Deadline:
course work (3 000 word essay)
12 noon 29/04/16
15
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
MEDCG025: Science Communication for Biomedicine
Course organisers:
Term 2
Core teaching
Mark Lythgoe, Oz Ismail
Jan 11-March 23rd 2016
Thursdays 10:00-12:00
Credits:
15
Good communication is essential for a scientist, be it sharing ideas with
colleagues, engaging with the public, or writing articles for scientific journals of
the press. This module will cover a range of approaches for communicating
complex scientific ideas in an understandable and interesting fashion to a range
of audiences. Biomedical imaging is an excellent topic for learning how to
communicate science, as highly complex technology is utilized to create an
image understandable to all. The module will include presentations to audiences
with different backgrounds (general scientific, general public, school children)
and written assignments in the form of newspaper articles – the best of which
will be published online.
Areas covered
 Introduction to science communication
 Presenting to academics
o Oral
o Poster
o Papers, grants, fellowships
 Public engagement
o interacting with the public
o organising an event
o presenting to the public
o writing newspaper articles
o writing reviews
Assessment
Deadline:
3 x oral (60%), 2 x short essay (40%)
TBA
16
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
MEDCG026: Research Project
Course organiser:
60
Term 3
Core teaching
Daniel Stuckey, Mark Lythgoe
Credits:
April 25 - August 25th 2016
At the discretion of the project supervisor.
The research project is designed to give you practical, hands-on experience of
imaging research.
A list of proposed projects and supervisors will be posted in late October 2015.
Projects will focus on…
 Data acquisition
 Image analysis
 Review article writing
 Public engagement
Students should contact and meet the supervisors to discuss the projects
Students should rate their top 4 projects by Dec 18 2015 and will hear soon
after which project they have been awarded.
The projects will allow the students to acquire original data, interpret and
present results and write a concise and scientifically accurate research report in
a format that could be acceptable for publication in scientific journals.
Assessment
Deadline:
7,000 word essay
12 noon 25/08/16
17
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
Preliminary examination
schedule
Advanced Biomedical Imaging Techniques I
Date
Short answer examination
(50%)
10/12/15
MCQs
(50%)
15 credits
Advanced Biomedical Imaging Techniques II
Date
15/01/16
3,000 word essay
15 credits
Practical preclinical research
Date
Home office exam
TBA
course work
15 credits
Ethics and Regulation of Research
Date
17/12/15
3,000 word essay
15 credits
Medical Imaging
Date
~05/16
2 hour exam
15 credits
Translational Imaging of Disease and Therapy I
Date
Short answer examination
(50%)
10/03/16
MCQs
(50%)
15 credits
Translational Imaging of Disease and Therapy II
Date
29/04/16
3,000 word essay
15 credits
Science Communication in Biomedicine
Date
TBA
3 x oral (60%), 2 x short essay (40%)
15 credits
Research Project
Date
25/08/16
7,000 word Report
60 credits
18
MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
CABI Mentors
This scheme is to encourage interaction between you and the CABI students
enrolled on a PhD within UCL, with the purpose of gaining knowledge and
information, sharing wisdom and experience, and getting advice and help in a
confidential manner.
Aim and Objectives:



To help mentees to settle down quickly in UCL and familiarise with the
“imaging” environment
To share knowledge, skills and experience associated with departmental
administration and any aspects of learning at UCL
To help mentee to build a positive attitude and maintaining a healthy
life/work balance
Meetings guidelines





You will soon be put in touch with your mentor
Mentoring pairs should meet regularly during the year but the frequency
depends on personal circumstances. Minimum of once per term is
recommended
The length of the meeting will be decided between the mentor and mentee
but meetings should normally last around 30 min
Meetings can be held in a variety of places, wherever suits the pair best
Both parties should commit to maintaining regular contact
Discussion topics may include:




Challenges faced by the mentees both academically and socially
Personal development
Holistic view
Putting the mentee In-touch with academics who can offer further
guidance if needed.
Confidentiality Statement
Mentees and mentors should note that the professional and personal information
shared during mentoring is confidential to the pairs involved, and should remain
so, even when the mentoring relationship has ended
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MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
Extra-curricular activities
Explore the free lectures that take place at UCL and across London
UCL and London in general has a wealth of world class lecture happening every
week. Find free events and get on email lists. Share the knowledge with the rest
of the group and let us all know what you discover.
Examples to get you started
 Preclinical Nuclear Imaging meeting 9th Nov 2015- UCL
 EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Medical Imaging seminars
 Centre for Neuroimaging Techniques seminars
 Division of Medicine Grand Round / Friday lunchtime Seminars
 Royal Society
 London Regenerative Medicine Network
 London School of Economics
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MSc Advanced Biomedical Imaging
Preparation for the next
seminar
MEDCG020: Advanced Biomedical Imaging Techniques I
1300 - 18:00 Tuesday 06 October 2015
Roberts 105a
Introduction to biomedical imaging
Homework
Prepare a “who am I” presentation
Tell us about you!
Make a few powerpoint slides, with photos , to give a humorous, <5 min
introduction of you – this could include…





Where were you born and where did you grow up?
What degree you did, and did you enjoy it?
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
What are your hobbies and interests?
what do you want to go on to do after this masters
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