Southampton Imaging and Radiology Group (SIRRG)

The Southampton Imaging and Radiology Research Group (SIRRG) brings together experts across disciplines, and across imaging modalities, to enable and develop research using clinical modalities such as MRI, CT, nuclear medicine techniques and ultrasound, to benefit our patients. 

Our collaborations reach across Medical Physics, Radiology, and other clinical departments at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). We work with University of Southampton (UoS) research groups in almost every faculty to drive innovation and impact. 

We support knowledge sharing and collaborative strategic and operational planning. Working with our stakeholders we create opportunities for commercial partnerships and clinical innovation

Our Mission

We aim to strengthen and raise the profile of imaging research across Southampton (UHS and UoS), building a thriving community and a solid foundation for academic development and high quality research delivery. 

Our core goals:

• grow imaging research in Southampton – building on existing academic and research successes
• empower, enable and support anyone interested in imaging research – building a community to add value
• ensure that we deliver high-quality and robust imaging and radiology research services across UHS and UoS
• develop our role in innovation, technology development and commercial partnerships relating to imaging research

Visit the SIRRG website for more information

Our Facilities at a glance

Clinical imaging

• MRI
• CT
• SPECT
• PET
• Ultrasound

UoS Clinical Imaging Facility (CIF)

CIF is a gateway for UoS researchers to access UHS clinical imaging infrastructure, especially MRI.

Visit the CIF page for more about their services

Online bookings for UoS MRI slots (Calpendo)

Calpendo is an online booking system that streamlines research MRI scheduling, improves visibility of available slots, and supports coordination between teams at UHS and UoS. 

MRI slots can only be booked once the project approvals, costing arrangements and study setup have been completed. Before booking, researchers should first discuss their project requirements with the UHS imaging research team. Please get in touch if you have any questions.

Computing infrastructure and data management

XNAT (imaging arching system)

The eXtensible Neuroimaging Archive Toolkit (XNAT) is an imaging research archiving system for storing, managing, and sharing imaging data. 

PACS (UHS Radiology clinical imaging archiving system)

Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is the UHS Radiology system used to store, manage, and securely access medical images. The data can be viewed with XNAT.

Research delivery infrastructure

Our imaging research delivery expertise includes: 

• UHS Radiology research coordinator
• dedicated MRI and CT research radiographers
• MRI and Nuclear Medicine Physics support
• specialist neuro-MRI expertise (UoS and UHS) 

Consult the neuroimaging handbook for specialist neuro-MRI information

Our Research

Imaging and Radiology research activity across SIRRG is broad and diverse – one of our key strengths in Southampton. It involves multi-disciplinary teams, many clinical specialities, and strong external collaborations. We have supported, enabled, and led research across the lifecourse. Working within the BRC, IDeAC, the IfLS and almost every faculty at the university.

We have consolidated this diversity into five Southampton imaging research themes:

• Neuroimaging (across the lifecourse)
• Body composition and muscle characterisation
• Inflammation and imaging
• Artificial intelligence and quantification
• Intervention and image guidance (including dosimetry)

More information about our themes, projects and people will soon be available on our external website. 

If you would like to contribute, please get in touch via our email.