SAS
HRS4R
Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute of Measurement of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the University of Oxford in the field of research “Magnetic nanoparticles, their use as contrast agents and potential impact on metabolic imaging”. Metabolic imaging of the heart has great clinical potential, as metabolic processes fail before structural or functional changes occur in the heart. However, due to the significant influence of the operator on the exact origin of the resulting values, both during measurement and data evaluation, the repeatability and therefore the stability of the measurement is still insufficient for application in clinical practice.
The aim of this cooperation is to develop new technologies that minimize or eliminate this influence by using automation algorithms:
- The Oxford workplace has high-field clinical and research MR systems capable of measuring high-quality metabolic data and also has access to a large number of patients involved in research.
- Bratislava has a strong group of scientists dealing with the automation of image segmentation to increase the stability of the evaluated data.
The partners intend to cooperate for mutual benefit in metabolic imaging of the heart. Both parties agreed to develop their cooperation mainly through:
- facilitating the exchange of staff and students;
- hosting staff and students as visitors to the department;
- exchanging relevant publications;
- exploring possibilities for cooperation in research programs;
- exchanging materials based on relevant agreements;
- inviting staff and students to relevant conferences.
The agreement entered into force on 14.10.2021 and is valid until 13.10.2023. On 7.5.2024, the memorandum was renewed for a further period of two years until 2026 (MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING relating to “Automatization of cardiac metabolism assessment using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy”).