Biomedical Imaging

Computer Research And Technology

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

This project uses imaging science techniques to analyze many types of biological, clinical and biomedical images. Current research focuses on two general areas: (1) the structural biology of macromolecules using image processing of electron micrographs and NMR spectroscopy and (2) the development of sophisticated biomedical and laboratory imaging software. (1) The Imaging Sciences Laboratory has a major collaborative research effort with the Institutes involving the use of image processing techniques and advanced computational techniques in structural biology to analyze electron micrographs and NMR spectra with the goal of determining macromolecular structures. Recent efforts have concentrated on the 3D reconstruction, analysis and interpretation of the structures of icosahedral virus capsids. Ongoing research involves analyses of structures related to herpesvirus as well as other icosahedral virus capsids. This year we determined the structure of the HSV-1 UL6 portal protein to 16A resolution. HSV-1 is the first eukareotic virus known to contain a portal protein essential in the packaging of DNA. We have also been developing computational tools for the study of the structure and dynamics of biological macromolecules using NMR data. We are actively supporting the intra- and extramural communities which use the Xplor-NIH biomolecular structure determination software package. Development of Xplor-NIH has continued in the following areas: (a) further progress in the use of the Python and TCL scripting interfaces and the addition of extensive documentation; (b) the backbone dynamics of two proteins have been studied using a new ensemble facility; (c) a new chemical shift anisotropy potential term has been added which along with the dipolar coupling term, allows an orientational tensor to simultaneously refine with atomic coordinates; (d) continued work on the NOE automatic assignment facility which allows for spectral data to now be taken from disparate sources. (2) The Imaging Sciences Laboratory has a commitment to providing computational and engineering expertise to a variety of clinical and biomedical activities at NIH. Specifically, PET, ultrasound, CT, MRI, EPR, microscopy, imaging in cancer research, and imaging related to neural disfunction have been supported in a number of ways. To support scientific research in the NIH intramural program, CIT has developed and continues to enhance a sophisticated platform-independent, n-dimensional, extensible image processing and visualization application. The MIPAV (Medical Image Processing Analysis and Visualization) is an application that enables quantitative analysis and visualization of biomedical imaging modalities (from micro to macro) and is used by researchers at NIH and around the world. At NIH, MIPAV has been used to analyze tumors for Diagnostic Radiology, assisted in longitudinal studies in collaboration with NIDCR, analysis of MRI images for NIMH, and has been used by NCI for the analysis of 2D and 3D microscopic samples. In addition, the lab has (in collaboration with NEI) adapted MIPAV to be used as a surgeon's tool to assist in the evaluation of a treatment protocol for age-related macular degeneration.