Diagnostic Imaging

An interactive team of clinical and non-clinical scientists are focused on research in imaging of cellular, animal or human biological processes.  They seek to translate this knowledge into improved diagnosis, management, treatment and prevention of disease.  Our research is directed at the cellular, organelle and whole organism level, and also at strategies for enhancing imaging services in healthcare environments.

Current research investigations include, but are not limited to:

  • Development and evaluation of innovative approaches to diagnostic imaging
  • Optimisation strategies in diagnostic imaging
  • Live cell imaging techniques
  • In vivo imaging techniques in experimental models of disease
  • Outcome measures and biomarkers of treatment response for inflammatory arthritis
  • Fetal imaging, prenatal diagnosis and fetal cardiology
  • Patient-centred approaches to clinical imaging from birth to old age

Example Research

Some examples of individual efforts and collaborative initiatives are shown below.

Dose Optimisation in Computed Tomography

The increasing use of computed tomography for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes has led to concerns about the effects of harmful effects of radiation exposure in patients during, for example, cardiac imaging or breast cancer screening.

Our Diagnostic Imaging group has examined dose exposure levels across multiple Irish hospitals, demonstrating considerable between site and between scanner variation and has developed national reference guidelines for common clinical examinations.