Teaching code

4S011589

Credits

9

Coordinator

Federico Boschi

Language

English

Courses Single

Not Authorized

Moodle Seminars 0

The teaching is organized as follows:

Learning objectives

The course aims to provide to students the knowledge of the fundamentals of the main imaging technologies applied to translational research, including light and fluorescence microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and flow cytometry. The course is structured in such a way that, starting with the introduction of fundamental scientific and technological concepts, it leads to an understanding of the main applications of imaging technologies to translational research and diagnostics through laboratory exercises conducted in working groups. The course is structured in two separate modules:
- the Principles of (bio)Imaging module provides students with the physical concepts that underlie image construction in modern biomedical imaging techniques; illustrates concepts related to image quality and contrast, spatial and temporal resolution; enables the student to understand the main biomedical applications of different technologies; provides the necessary skills to be able independently to read and understand scientific papers in the field, and expound on their main findings;
- the Biomedical applications of imaging module allows students to explore the uses of bioimaging techniques at the biomedical level, both clinical and research. The main techniques for visualizing cellular structures and ultrastructures using light, fluorescence and multiphoton microscopy are explained, as well as applications of flow cytometry for assessing heterogeneity in cellular samples. It also provides the necessary morpho-functional substrate to evaluate the results obtained.
Upon completion of the course, the student will have acquired: a) in-depth knowledge of modern diagnostic techniques used in the biomedical field (ultrasound, x-ray, nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance tomography, and optical imaging) and microscopy techniques; b) comprehensive knowledge of analysis methodologies (e.g. segmentation of various organs and volume calculation, parameter extraction, signal-to-noise ratio and contrast measurement, etc.); c) ability to apply the acquired knowledge to design and execute a simple experiment aimed at collecting data with a real acquisition system (e.g., a magnetic resonance tomograph for experimental studies); d) ability to work in a team, interpret the results of experimental analyses, and communicate them according to the standards of the scientific community; e) ability to analyze a scientific article in the field, understanding the imaging techniques used, the main results obtained, and the limitations of the article itself; f) adequate morpho-functional basis for proper interpretation of the images and the biological significance of the parameters investigated; g) ability to plan further bioimaging studies in preclinical models of pathology, both oncological and CNS.

Prerequisites and basic notions

knowledge of physical principles of physics and basic notions of mathematics

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

Oral discussion of a student's chosen scientific article on one of the main bioimaging techniques or an application and questions on other techniques