Automatic Brain Tissue Segmentation in Magnetic Resonance Images based on Knowledge-guided Constrained Clustering. Accurate volumetric measurement of brain tissues is of critical importance in the study of many brain disorders, disease diagnosis, disease progression tracking and treatment monitoring. The study in this research will result in the development of a powerful computational technique that allows automatic volumetric measurement and analysis of brain tissues. The software developed in ....Automatic Brain Tissue Segmentation in Magnetic Resonance Images based on Knowledge-guided Constrained Clustering. Accurate volumetric measurement of brain tissues is of critical importance in the study of many brain disorders, disease diagnosis, disease progression tracking and treatment monitoring. The study in this research will result in the development of a powerful computational technique that allows automatic volumetric measurement and analysis of brain tissues. The software developed in this project will expedite early clinical diagnosis and treatment of neural diseases for patients, hence saving life and reducing health cost both at the personal and the national level. Read moreRead less
In-vivo detection of airway injury and disease using phase contrast X-ray velocimetry. Currently diagnosis of lung disease, a major cause of death in humans, is based on clinical symptoms that do not usually manifest until the disease is well advanced. This project will develop a novel imaging technique, X-ray velocimetry, to detect changes in tissue before symptoms arise, potentially leading to strategies for managing lung diseases.
Determination of lung morphology from X-ray phase contrast radiographs. Current methods of imaging the lung rely heavily on low contrast images obtained with chest radiography or computed tomography. This research will develop new X-ray phase contrast imaging techniques capable of providing a tenfold contrast increase over conventional chest radiography at a fraction of the X-ray dose of computed tomography. Methods of extracting quantitative information on lung morphology and pathology from pha ....Determination of lung morphology from X-ray phase contrast radiographs. Current methods of imaging the lung rely heavily on low contrast images obtained with chest radiography or computed tomography. This research will develop new X-ray phase contrast imaging techniques capable of providing a tenfold contrast increase over conventional chest radiography at a fraction of the X-ray dose of computed tomography. Methods of extracting quantitative information on lung morphology and pathology from phase contrast chest radiographs will be developed during this research. Eventual outcomes are likely to lead to improved methods of detecting lung disease and injury for both biomedical and clinical studies.Read moreRead less
Structural-functional connectivity in the brain. This project aims to develop magnetic resonance imaging analysis methods to non-invasively study brain connectivity. Recent advances in imaging can comprehensively describe the brain’s complex network of functional and structural connections (the brain ‘connectome’). This project will simultaneously investigate structural and functional connectivity, and characterise the dynamic properties of the connectome using graph-theoretic approaches. This p ....Structural-functional connectivity in the brain. This project aims to develop magnetic resonance imaging analysis methods to non-invasively study brain connectivity. Recent advances in imaging can comprehensively describe the brain’s complex network of functional and structural connections (the brain ‘connectome’). This project will simultaneously investigate structural and functional connectivity, and characterise the dynamic properties of the connectome using graph-theoretic approaches. This project should give neuroscientists computational tools to comprehensively map the network architecture of the human brain.Read moreRead less
Development of new methods to measure in vivo properties of human body tissues. This project will develop new methods of noninvasively measuring the viscoelastic properties of soft tissues in live humans, using a novel magnetic resonance elastography technique. These methods will be applied to study the operation of the human muscle-tendon system, differences in neck muscle properties with age and gender and to measure the properties of the human brain, kidney and liver in vivo. These techniques ....Development of new methods to measure in vivo properties of human body tissues. This project will develop new methods of noninvasively measuring the viscoelastic properties of soft tissues in live humans, using a novel magnetic resonance elastography technique. These methods will be applied to study the operation of the human muscle-tendon system, differences in neck muscle properties with age and gender and to measure the properties of the human brain, kidney and liver in vivo. These techniques may be useful in diagnosing soft tissue disease or injury which are currently difficult to detect using standard imaging techniques. It will also explain how the muscle-tendon unit moves during normal motion in live humans.Read moreRead less
Evolutionary algorithms for problems in functional genomics data analysis. Skin cancer has a high incidence in the Australian population. Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that affects a significant proportion of the population worldwide. Both illnesses have genetic roots and can be triggered by environmental factors. We will uncover genetic relationship to disease and their responses to environmental conditions using computational methods and mathematical algorithms that can aid in the de ....Evolutionary algorithms for problems in functional genomics data analysis. Skin cancer has a high incidence in the Australian population. Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that affects a significant proportion of the population worldwide. Both illnesses have genetic roots and can be triggered by environmental factors. We will uncover genetic relationship to disease and their responses to environmental conditions using computational methods and mathematical algorithms that can aid in the determination of function, especially in disease states. Understanding the complex genetic interactions that trigger these illnesses would give great benefits in preventive health care, skin cancer and schizophrenia genetic basis, and may lay the ground for building new methods for "personalized medicine".
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Automatic detection of the circle of Willis in neuro-images using multi-scale gradient calculation and knowledge-based genetic algorithms. Stroke is the third most common cause of death and a major contributor to long term disability in Australia. The most efficient way of preventing stroke from happening is to detect related symptoms early. The group of cerebral blood vessels that closely related to strokes is the circle of Willis (CoW). We build a system that can automatically detect and quan ....Automatic detection of the circle of Willis in neuro-images using multi-scale gradient calculation and knowledge-based genetic algorithms. Stroke is the third most common cause of death and a major contributor to long term disability in Australia. The most efficient way of preventing stroke from happening is to detect related symptoms early. The group of cerebral blood vessels that closely related to strokes is the circle of Willis (CoW). We build a system that can automatically detect and quantify CoW in neuroimages, providing ways of preventing strokes from happening. The project will enhance Australia¡¯s leading position in promoting and maintaining good health, especially in preventive healthcare.Read moreRead less
Novel Motion Correction Technologies for Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The recent development of the world's first prototype combined MR-PET scanner for human use has prompted immense interest. MR-PET is likely to revolutionize clinical diagnosis and basic research, by providing exquisite structural images co-registered with simultaneous functional PET images. We will exploit the as yet unexplored potential for motion information derived from the MR sy ....Novel Motion Correction Technologies for Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The recent development of the world's first prototype combined MR-PET scanner for human use has prompted immense interest. MR-PET is likely to revolutionize clinical diagnosis and basic research, by providing exquisite structural images co-registered with simultaneous functional PET images. We will exploit the as yet unexplored potential for motion information derived from the MR system to be used to correct the simultaneously acquired PET data for patient motion. This research is an excellent opportunity for Australian researchers to make important contributions to an emerging technology with high economic potential, and will strengthen Australia's international position in engineering and biomedical systems development.Read moreRead less
Identification and inference in nonparametric models. This project will develop reliable methods for identification, estimation and inference of nonparametric models for the evaluation of economic policies on outcome variables of interest. This econometric methodology will allow a better understanding of the quantitative effects of an economic policy which will result in better informed policy decisions. The results will have applications to labour market policies, health care policies and educa ....Identification and inference in nonparametric models. This project will develop reliable methods for identification, estimation and inference of nonparametric models for the evaluation of economic policies on outcome variables of interest. This econometric methodology will allow a better understanding of the quantitative effects of an economic policy which will result in better informed policy decisions. The results will have applications to labour market policies, health care policies and education policies among others. The project will also provide national benefits in terms of building up the local stock of researchers trained in the area of identification and estimation of nonparametric models; it will further improve the international reputation that Australia has in econometric theory.Read moreRead less
Novel methods for detecting changes in soft tissue microstructure and biomechanical properties using multi-modality MR imaging. This project will lead to novel methods for studying the internal structure of the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles and brain tissue, and how this is affected by mechanical loading and disease states. The project will thoroughly validate these new methods. This will not only provide new techniques for research use, but lead to improved diagnostic techniques in ....Novel methods for detecting changes in soft tissue microstructure and biomechanical properties using multi-modality MR imaging. This project will lead to novel methods for studying the internal structure of the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles and brain tissue, and how this is affected by mechanical loading and disease states. The project will thoroughly validate these new methods. This will not only provide new techniques for research use, but lead to improved diagnostic techniques in the future.Read moreRead less