Biosignals and Biomedical Imaging
Biosignals and Biomedical Imaging encompasses biophysics of image formation from molecules to tissues, signal detection and formation, image and signal processing using quantitative analysis, modeling the physical and biological processes, and performance evaluation. Specialty areas include MRI, ultrasound, biophotonics, microscopy, EEG, and medical imaging processing.
The Bone Bioengineering Laboratory (BBL)
The Bone Bioengineering Laboratory (BBL), directed by Prof. Ed Guo, focuses on major areas in bone biomechanics and bioengineering, including cellular/molecular mechanisms of trabecular bone response to mechanical and hormonal stimulation, micromechanics of cortical bone, and intervetebral disc response to mechanical loads. Additionally BBL is developing 3D image analysis and recognition of trabecular bone microstructure and 3D bone cell culture systems.
Functional Optical Imaging
The Laboratory for Functional Optical Imaging, directed by Prof. Elizabeth Hillman, develops new medical and optical imaging methods that exploit intrinsic contrast such as hemoglobin, and targeted and active fluorescent dyes. Her laboratory has a strong neuroscience focus, including 2D and 3D imaging on the exposed cortex and the use of voltage sensitive dyes to characterize neuronal activity in the living brain. Additional applications include imaging of skin cancer and cardiac electrical activity.
Hatch Center for MRI Research
The Hatch Center for MRI Research, directed by Prof. Tommy Vaughan, provides a strong bridge between the medical and engineering school campuses, offering over 9000 sq ft. of recently renovated space for teaching and research in BME and Radiology as well as Video Classroom/ Conference facilities. Collaboration between the BME Department and Radiology provides undergraduate and graduate opportunities in Medical Imaging and research in MR Arterial Spin Labeling, High Speed Proton Spectroscopy, Simultaneous EEG/fMRI acquisition, Automatic Motion Correction for MRI, MRI measurements of cardiac and liver iron levels, and other new areas of discovery. The Hatch Center includes state-of-the-art Magnetic Resonance Whole Body Systems (a 1.5 Tesla and a 3.0 Tesla system) and a 9.4 Tesla Small Animal Magnetic Resonance Imaging System.
Heffner Biomedical Imaging Lab
The Heffner Biomedical Imaging Lab, directed by Prof. Andrew Laine, advances state-of-art in biomedical imaging through the application of mathematics, physical science, and engineering. Our trademark is the innovative solution of problems on the cutting the edge of biomedical imaging. The scope of this laboratory includes image formation, qualitative analysis, evaluation and quantitative measures of structures at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ levels.
The Laboratory for Intelligent Imaging and Neural Computing
The Laboratory for Intelligent Imaging and Neural Computing, directed by Prof. Paul Sajda, was founded with the mission of studying fundamental processing strategies and representations in biological vision to develop artificial vision systems capable of sophisticated and adaptive image and scene analysis. This laboratory develops biophysically realistic network architectures of neural circuitry, which are being applied to problems in medical image analysis including cancer detection.
MR SCIENCE Laboratory
The MR SCIENCE Laboratory, directed by Prof. Christoph Juchem, pursues MR engineering in the fields of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), spectroscopy (MRS) and spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) to advance their clinical potential for the study of neurodegenerative diseases. To this end, MR method developments are combined with state-of-the-art MRI, MRS and MRSI techniques to derive in vivo direct knowledge of the pathobiochemistry underlying clinical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Ultrasound and Elasticity Imaging
The Ultrasound and Elasticity Imaging Laboratory, directed by Prof. Elisa Konofagou, develops novel elasticity imaging techniques with immediate application to breast, ligament, and myocardial elastography. Her laboratory is also developing and applying harmonic motion imaging and focused ultrasound therapy to a range of clinical and basic research applications.
Memory and Navigation
The Memory and Navigation Laboratory, directed by Prof. Joshua Jacobs, conducts research on the electrophysiology of navigation and memory, brain stimulation, and direct human brain recordings.
Neural Engineering and Control
The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Laboratory for Neural Engineering and Control, led by Prof. Qi Wang, focuses on neural coding in the somatosensory pathway of the brain, brain-machine interfaces, and biomedical instrumentation for creating engineered tactile sensations.