Comprehensive Training program in Imaging Science and Informatics

描述（由申请人提供）：本提案的首要主题是培养“综合成像科学家”识别临床相关问题所需的技能；开发仪器、传感器和造影剂，形成适合问题的图像；并利用信号处理、数学建模、可视化和信息学技术分析产生的成像数据，以改善人类疾病的预防、检测、诊断和治疗。该计划涵盖从分子到细胞到组织到器官。为了使成像科学家了解从图像形成到分析和决策的完整轨迹，他们必须在四个核心领域进行培训：仪器，设备和造影剂；图像处理;建模与可视化；和信息。该项目的所有学生都接受过这些领域核心概念的培训。目前的培训项目是一个为期两年的博士预科项目。共有20名学生被该项目录取。拟议的更新将培训另外16名学生。该项目包括校外实习研究经历和广泛的专业发展组成部分。影像科学是基础科学研究和临床医学的重要组成部分。细胞运输成像和体内受体药理学已经导致了靶向药物和基因治疗，对细胞生化途径的理解将有助于医学的新进展。个体化医疗在很大程度上依赖于成像技术来选择最好的治疗方法和监测进展。尽管人体原位结构成像已经是临床医学的重要组成部分，但要改善医疗保健，还需要在脑和其他器官的功能成像方面取得许多进展。奥巴马总统最近拨款1亿美元用于研究严重依赖成像技术的大脑制图。我们已经确定了成像科学家开发新的成像仪器的关键需求，并将该仪器与适当的信息学和数据挖掘相结合。该培训计划将通过为学术界、工业界和国家实验室提供下一代成像科学家，对基础科学和临床医学产生重大影响。这个培训计划填补了一个关键的利基，提供高技能的科学家谁是训练在成像科学的广泛轨迹与连贯的培训重点。这个项目有意为我们的毕业生选择职业道路的广度，需要任何或所有方面的成像科学。了解仪器和信息学之间的相互作用对于设计下一代用于量化复杂生物系统结构和功能的硬件和软件工具非常重要。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The over-arching theme of this proposal is to train "comprehensive imaging scientists" in the skills necessary to identify clinically relevant problems; develop instrumentation, sensors, and contrast agents to form images appropriate for the problem; and analyze the resulting imaging data using signal processing, mathematical modeling, visualization, and informatics techniques to improve the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases. The program spans from molecular to cellular to tissue to organ. In order for imaging scientists to be knowledgeable of the full trajectory from image formation to analysis and decision-making, they must be trained in four core areas: Instrumentation, Devices, and Contrast Agents; Image processing; Modeling and Visualization; and Informatics. All students in the program are trained in the core concepts of these areas. The current training program is a two year pre-doctoral portfolio program. A total of 20 students have been admitted to the program. The proposed renewal will train another 16 students. The program includes off-campus externship research experiences and a wide-ranging professional development component. Imaging Science is an integral element of basic science research and clinical medicine. Imaging cell trafficking and receptor pharmacology in vivo have already led to targeted drug and gene therapies and an understanding of cellular biochemical pathways will contribute to new advances in medicine. Individualized medicine relies heavily on imaging techniques to select the best therapies and monitor progress. Although structural in situ human imaging is already a critical component of clinical medicine, many advances are needed in functional imaging of the brain and other organs to improve healthcare. President Obama has recently allocated $100M to research on brain mapping that relies heavily on imaging. We have identified a critical need for imaging scientists to develop new imaging instrumentation and apply that instrumentation with appropriate informatics and data mining. This training program will have a high impact on basic science and clinical medicine by providing the next generation of imaging scientists in academia, industry and national labs. This training program fills a criticl niche by providing highly skilled scientists who are trained in the broad trajectory of imaging science with a coherent training focus. This program intentionally has the breadth for our graduates to choose career pathways that require any or all aspects of imaging science. Understanding the interplay between the instrumentation and informatics is important for designing the next generation of hardware and software tools for quantifying structure and function in complex biological systems.