Module overview
Modern medicine and the latest developments in biomedical science depend heavily on imaging technology and on computational image analysis. By combining computation and optoelectronics, we can not only deliver spectacular images but also vital data, that are essential for modern healthcare and bioscience. Biomedical imaging can be performed across a wide range of length scales. Sub-nanometre resolution is needed to understand biomolecule structure and function, all the way up to whole body imaging captures data about human health and behaviour.
Imaging instruments range from simple digital cameras familiar as consumer products, to complex medical scanners and a wide range of microscopes. Image analysis ranges from simple manipulations of a 2D intensity matrix to the latest classification and interpretation algorithms, such as use of convoluted neural networks to aid diagnosis from medical scans. Tomography and 3D reconstruction methods are vital, both for medical imaging of the human body, and at the nanoscale for tracking protein structure and engineering new medicines.
The module builds a foundation of knowledge allowing students to apply the fundamental principles of digital imaging and computational image analysis– such as how different radiation can be used to capture images – that are relevant to biomedical imaging. The module establishes an understanding of how imaging instruments are engineered, including familiarity with essential components such as light sources, sensors and optics. In parallel the principles of digital image processing for biomedicine are studied, from preprocessing to the latest computational image analysis tools to make measurements or extract medically important features.
Students will study selected examples of well-established digital imaging platforms alongside cutting-edge biomedical imaging methods, that are all important for digital health, biomedical engineering and medicine. Students will learn how imaging systems and analysis workflows are designed and develop a practical awareness of the major engineering parameters necessary for modern biomedical imaging and image analysis.
The module is designed to be of interest to ECS students – including biomedical engineering, computer science, and electronic engineering students – who are interested in the specialised applications of imaging technology and computational image analysis across the life sciences sector, from medicine and digital health to fundamental bioscience research.