Project to Help Provide Better Imaging from Bench to Bedside

An imaging project is launching its preparatory phase, and its goal is to provide scientists throughout Europe with open access to cutting-edge imaging technologies at all levels of biologic and biomedical research, from research to point-of-care.

From microscopy to computer tomography (CT) imaging scans, imaging plays an significant role in biologic and biomedical research, but obtaining high-quality images often requires advanced technology and expertise, and can be costly. Euro-BioImaging is a project that aims to provide scientists throughout Europe with open access to cutting-edge imaging technologies at all levels of biologic and biomedical research, from bench to bedside. The project is part of the European Commission's European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) roadmap.

During the three-year preparatory phase, Euro-BioImaging will develop a plan to construct and operate a set of complementary and strongly interlinked imaging infrastructure facilities. This plan will be based on a comprehensive assessment of researchers' needs in terms of access, service, and training. Euro-BioImaging will also establish the legal, governmental, and financial framework for such infrastructures, and seek agreements with funding bodies. Eligibility criteria for participating facilities will be defined, an independent evaluation panel will be established, and a call for applications will be announced.

"Euro-BioImaging will support research, training, and innovation in biological and biomedical imaging on a pan-European level, by providing imaging services with an overarching strategic plan," remarked Jan Ellenberg, scientific coordinator for biologic imaging, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL; Heidelberg, Germany).

Euro-BioImaging aims to bring together key research areas, from basic biologic imaging and molecular imaging to the clinical and epidemiologic level of medical imaging. The project intends to address the current fragmentation of imaging infrastructure in Europe, by creating a coordinated and harmonized plan for its deployment throughout the continent. It will provide scientists in Europe with open access to state-of-the-art imaging technologies and training, continuously developing imaging technologies to offer cutting-edge services to the scientific community.

"Given the broad range of imaging technologies coordinated through Euro-BioImaging, the research infrastructure will facilitate the translation from basic results to medical applications," said Dr. Stefan Schönberg, from the University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim (Germany), and scientific coordinator for biomedical imaging on behalf of the European Institute for Biomedical Imaging Research (EIBIR; Vienna, Austria).

As one of the project's goals is to keep Europe at the forefront of technologic developments in this area, commercial opportunities are expected to arise. Euro-BioImaging has already started to form an industry board in which all leading vendors and producers of biomedical imaging equipment in Europe are represented.

Related Links:
Euro-BioImaging
European Molecular Biology Laboratory
European Institute for Biomedical Imaging Research