心旨 在整合北醫影像研究相關團隊、建立高階影像設施、提供動物與人體影像研究諮詢、開發高階造影與分析技術、推廣影像醫學與培育人 才。 研究發展方向以神經疾病之轉譯影像研究為目標,結合中心成員之不同專長能力,成立五個核心實驗室: 奈米分子影像實驗室、7T動物影像實驗室、3T臨床腦功能影像實驗室及神經影像生物標記分析實驗室,以及正子磁振影像實驗室以貫串轉譯影像研究從基因、細胞、動物至人體研 究所需之不同層面。

TIRC is a neuroimaging center primarily focusing on the niche researches of neurological diseases from gene to cell, and from cell to animal and human. The imaging facilities encompass an animal 7T MRI (Bruker PharmaScan 70/16 at TMU), two 1.5T human MRIs (GE Signa HDxt at TMUH), a 3T human MRI (Siemens Prisma at TMUH), and a dual-source computed tomography (SOMATOM Definition Flash at TMUH). TIRC is composed of four core laboratories, including the nano-molecular imaging lab, experimental animal lab, advanced human functional MR imaging lab, PET-MR lab, and the neuroimage biomarker analysis lab, to foster a complete chain of research in conceptualizing the “translation” from “bench-bed” to “bed-industry”. Current research foci comprise a) Radiogenomics of glioblastoma multiforme to identify in-vivo image biomarkers for predicting treatment resistance; b) detection of salvageable tissues by microstructural tensor changes in hyperacute stroke; and c) the alterations of thalamocortical connectivity in the acute phase of mild traumatic brain injury for personalized medicine.
History
Imaging Research Center (IRC) was established at Taipei Medical University (TMU) in November 2012 by Professor Fong-Yong Tsai, which aims to promote researches and applications in medical imaging. Initially, the research had been proceeded in cooperation with medical imaging centers of Taipei Medical University Hospital, Wan Fang Hospital, and Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, which was based on the clinical and radiographic results formally. IRC would cooperate with Academia Sinica or other research institutions in Taiwan providing facilities for animal magnetic resonance imaging studies in relation with basic medical sciences.

Professor Cheng-Yu Chen took over as director of Imaging Research Center (IRC) in March 2014. In order to initiate and promote the academic research, clinical service and human capacity building, the amendment of University Affairs Meeting had been passed in October 2014 for proposing a higher level of research center named Translational Imaging Research Center (TIRC) on attachment to the medical college at Taipei Medical University. Subsequently, TIRC headed toward studies of translational imaging by increasing the quantity and quality of research instruments and research fellows.

With respect to facilities for small animal imaging research, the 7T MRI had been installed and passed the safety test in July 2015. The 3T MRI for clinical research would be installed in Taipei Medical University Hospital, and core laboratories in TIRC have been setting up actively for integration with related research fields such as genetic and cellular studies, animal model of diseases, and clinical trials, which may lead to Industry-Academia cooperation as one of the future goals. Imaging Research Center has renamed formally as Translational Imaging Center (TIRC) since May 2015, committing with a macroscopic view to devoting and promoting research issues more vividly and characteristically as an academic research center with international perspective.



Our Research Area

TIRC has built multiple image platforms for animal experiments and clinical trials in an effort to promote medical imaging research, including establishment of various animal models of human disease in comparison with findings of physiological and pathological changes from clinical medicine images. Via the delicate instruments and precisely designed laboratory animal models combined with imaging studies and staining techniques, TIRC may also help medical physicians to clarify the clinical pathology and disease diagnosis by providing evidence-based imaging results.

Meanwhile, TIRC observes the various mechanisms of neuro-signal pathways on disease regulation and pharmacology through experiments in genetics, cell biology and molecular biology. As for clinical trials, the psychophysiological assessment may serve as an important prognostic indicator of diseases by reflecting the mental state and social function of patients after the onset of an illness.

The goal of research is to develop more effective medical image markers for early diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of diseases. By utilizing the non-invasive quantitative model of medical imaging, we may build an effective screening platform used for evaluating drug efficacy and therapeutic effects. The field of research involves genetic and cellular studies, laboratory animal experiments, and research studies on human participants. The advanced technique of translational medical imaging platform is beneficial for effective biomarkers, R&D of new drugs, and translational medicine research. Apart from technical development of medical imaging, its application would support the diagnosis and treatment of four main neurological diseases.

Brain Tumor

Glioblastoma Radiogenomics:
The research topic is mainly focused on glioblastoma multiforme(GBM). We will investigate the heterogeneity of MR imaging findings between inter- and intra-tumors, and also explore the correlation between MR imaging findings and gene mutations. We have glioblastoma cell culture with specific genetic information, such as tumor formation, angiogenesis, gene clusters associated with DNA damage and repair. Furthermore, an animal model of glioblastoma multiforme will be established at 7T MRI, and the same method can be applied to MR imaging study on human participants at 3T MRI... more

Ischemic Stroke

Multiparametric MR imaging analysis of ischemic stroke:
The therapeutic effect of treatment in ischemic stroke relies not only on the recovery of blood flow, but also the amount of possibly non-impaired neurons in the human brain after stroke. Within 4.5 hours after the cerebrovascular accident is usually a critical and valuable period of time to give treatments. Therefore, defining the onset time of CVA, locating the lesion sites as well as evaluating the preserved brain tissues precisely are all important factors to consider before any intervention or thrombolytic drugs injection are given. ... more

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

The relation between thalamocortical dysrhythmia (TCD) and post-concussive syndrome (PCS) in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) patients has recently been recognized in several studies; however the potential imaging biomarkers to evaluate neurological functional deficits and to localize TCD, in particular the thalamocortical circuits, have not been established. ... more

Dementia

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