Cardiff University and Siemens Healthineers share expertise to advance diagnosis

Cardiff University and Siemens Healthineers have entered a strategic partnership to develop advanced medical technologies, with a key focus on imaging and in vitro diagnostics. The alliance builds on a 10-year collaboration. Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC) is at the heart of the partnership, bringing together MRI technology from Siemens Healthineers with the university’s expertise in brain mapping and clinical innovation.

Pro-vice chancellor and head of the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences Professor Ian Weeks said: “This unique collaboration will transform how we use our collective expertise in imaging, clinical laboratory diagnostics and data science to develop integrated diagnostic methods for the earlier and more accurate diagnosis and treatment of disease. The partnership is committed to the global effort to positively change the lives and experience of those requiring healthcare interventions.”

The partners will work together to harness innovations in MRI hardware, biophysical modelling and MRI acquisition strategies using AI to develop efficient acquisition protocols to capture intricate ‘fingerprints’ of tissue microstructure in health, developmental processes, ageing and various disease states. This will increase the understanding of complex biological systems and enable earlier diagnosis and treatment of neurological and psychiatric conditions such as dementia, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia. Integration of imaging and biochemical analysis modalities will provide innovative approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of other conditions including cancer and diseases associated with infection and immunity.

CUBRIC director Professor Derek Jones added: “Through closer collaboration and shared objectives, we will push the boundaries of what can be achieved in MRI, particularly in the realms of microstructural imaging, next generation hardware and the democratisation of MRI.”

CUBRIC’s research facilities include the 3.0T Magnetom Skyra Connectom system from Siemens Healthineers, a specially adapted MRI scanner of which there are only four in the world.

Picture: CUBRIC director Professor Derek Jones, Siemens Healthineers head of research and scientific collaborations Dr Craig Buckley, research liaison officer Dr Belinda Ding Yuan, Siemens research collaborations lead Dr Alexandra Olaru and Cardiff University strategic partnerships manager Victoria Harris.

Published on page 8 of the January 2024 issue of RAD Magazine.