Background

Bio-imaging is a rapidly advancing field of research with a unique potential brought forward by, among others, two non-invasive techniques: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which comprises a variety of tools ranging from high-resolution anatomical structure visualization to functional studies and even molecular-level description of metabolic events in the cell; and Positron Emission Tomography (PET), which provide a unique means for high-sensitivity studies of physiological function and of low concentrations of molecular bio-distribution. It can be safely stated, that the field of bio-imaging has entered a period of large interest, intensification and unprecedented growth.

In parallel, the need for competitive bioimaging infrastructures has emerged at major universities. The equipment associated with advanced and up-to-date bioimaging, as well as requirements for maintenance, staff expertise and data handling impose a necessity to regard bioimaging as a common interest for a whole university, and certain techniques may even need a larger – national or multinational – platform to become a reality.

Towards this background, Lund University Bioimaging Center (LBIC) was founded at Lund University in September 2008.

Goal

The overall goal of LBIC is to provide access to platforms and expertise for advanced bioimaging research. As stated in the working procedures for the medical faculty 2012: “LBIC is a center under the faculty board with the task to be an infrastructural platform for human and animal experimental imaging for users at Lund University and with a national and international openness.”

LBIC is built up in a structural way using platforms for several types of bioimaging research.

At present, the LBIC platforms encompass preclinical MR, preclinical Nuclear Medicine (PET/SPECT/CT), microscopy including electron microscopy and light microscopy, clinical MRI and the National 7T facility. In addition, IT/data handling forms an infrastructure within LBIC.

Structure

LBIC was established as a center within the medical faculty at Lund University in autumn 2008, directly under the faculty leadership, as shown in the figures below:

Steering Group

LBIC is led and coordinated by a steering group, where the competence reflects the different core imaging modalities within LBIC. The director and the deputy director represent competence in human imaging and experimental imaging, respectively, and shares the responsibility of center leadership.

Steering group 2019

Prof. Gunilla Westergren-Thorsson (Director)
Prof. Pia Sundgren (Co-Director)
Prof. Kristina Åkesson
Prof. Lars E Olsson
Prof. Linda Knutsson
Ass. Prof. Pontus Nordenfelt

Research Boards

All projects are evaluated before acceptance with respect to possibility to perform the intended experiments successfully, given the available equipment at LBIC. Three different research boards are presently active for LBIC´s preclinical platform, clinical MR platform and for the National 7T platform, respectively, as described under each platform.

User  groups

At present, LBIC has identified and works together with two separate user goups: One for the preclinical platforms and one for the National 7T platform.

Platform Responsible

For each imaging platform, a “platform responsible” person either within the LBIC steering group or within the LBIC staff is acting as coordinator of the activity of the platform.

LBIC platforms “at a glance"

An overview of the available LBIC platforms are given in the figures below. For further information, please see the descriptions of each platform.