THREE YEAR INTERSECT EPSRC CASE PHD STUDENTSHIP
SPONSORED BY BIOTRONICS3D WITH CITY UNIVERSITY, LONDON.
DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF
VIRTUAL COLONOSCOPY FOR INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES
Biotronics, collaboration and the CASE studentship.
Biotronics3D www.biotronic3D.com in partnership with Intersect and the Imaging Faradays www.intersect.org.uk .It aims to sponsor high quality strategic research through EPSRC industrial CASE studentships. In particular, this studentship will build closer links with the Centre for Health Informatics at City University, London (as the academic partner) and reinforce collaborations with St Mark's Hospital, London (as the clinical partner).
The research.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases affect approximately 1 in 300 people in the UK. The incidence in western countries is believed to be rising.
Examination of the colon (large bowel) is performed for initial diagnosis and assessment of disease progression. Physicians observe the colon directly via a small camera and light source mounted on a tube about the size of a garden hose inserted via the rectum (conventional colonoscopy). Patients require sedation, emergency cover for anaesthesia-related complications and several hours for recovery.
Virtual colonoscopy is an alternative technology. It uses medical scanners (multislice CAT scan or MRI) and virtual reality computer software to allow physicians to look inside a 3-dimensional computer-generated image of the colon. The approach is non-invasive, avoiding discomfort and sedation, with potential advantages in diagnostic performance, safety and patient acceptance.
The objective is to develop virtual colonoscopy as an image generation tool for physicians. Intensive image processing is also intended to identify common signs of disease automatically and to highlight changes in structure and function currently difficult or impossible to detect with the naked eye.
Research will develop procedures and algorithms based on multiple images from healthy 'baseline' human controls and patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Subsequent performance will compare physicians using conventional and virtual imaging techniques, as well as image interpretation with and without computer assistance. Observational studies will consider changes in the organisation of care; and questionnaires will address patient responses.
Working hypotheses anticipate that physicians assisted by computers will have greater diagnostic information to distinguish between disorders. Clinical practice will involve more radiographers and fewer anaesthetists. Patients will face reduced risks and experience less physical discomfort and disruption to their day.
How the studentship works.
A student is recruited to carry out a programme of industry-defined research, supervised by both the industrial and academic partners. They get a funded PhD with an enhanced stipend of £13,000 per year(inclusive of London Weighting) and have the opportunity to work on a project with industrial relevance and exposure. They also benefit from a programme of enhanced skills training to include a Faraday Associates workshop dealing with issues of commercialising technology.
Student requirements.
Candidates should:
• Be UK citizens or EU nationals with 3 years' (non-study) residency in the UK.
• Have relevant experience and/or qualifications
The successful applicant will:
• Spend time in industry (minimum 3 months).
• Be released for at least a 1 week workshop.
• Be involved in project presentation at least at 1 Intersect/Imaging meeting.
Initial enquiries.
City University (main initial contact):
Dr Abdul Rudsari - A.V.Roudsari@city.ac.uk
How to apply.
Application forms available from Gill Smith at gsmith@soi.city.ac.uk. The closing
date for applications is 21 January 2005, 17.00hrs. Applicants must describe
their research background and interests in the area and topic – open-ended
applications will be automatically rejected. Final award of the studentships
will be made in early February. Candidates should be available for interview
during the week of 29 January 2005, and ensure that referees can be contacted
during that period.