A new image

UI faculty members’ biomedical imaging research shows collaboration, not competition

Geoffrey McLennan (left) and Milan Sonka in the lab.

Drs. Geoffrey McLennan, professor of internal medicine in the UI Carver College of Medicine, and Milan Sonka, professor of electrical and computer engineering in the UI College of Engineering, have been working together for more than 10 years to improve the diagnosis and treatment of lung disease. Their partnership has continued to grow as they have become some of the campus’ leaders in multidisciplinary research.

McLennan’s research focuses on lung disease with an interest in diagnostic and therapeutic uses of bronchoscopy. Sonka is a medical imaging expert who uses indices and measurements to provide more-detailed information about disease.

Realizing the impact they could make by working together, they began to develop new ways to more effectively diagnose and treat disease through computer digital imaging. They also work closely with Eric Hoffman, PhD, UI professor of radiology and associate professor of biomedical engineering, and Joseph Reinhardt, PhD, both imaging experts. The four have developed an excellent team of cross-college researchers who have made an international impact.

"I believe the nature of practicing medicine is such that as physicians we can benefit from different points of view. This makes the team approach very important," said McLennan. "The digital imaging techniques we use are quite powerful. Dr. Sonka’s work provides extra value to my patients. For example, if I identify an area of concern in a patient’s lung, i.e., a possible tumor, digital imaging can be used to find the best path through the airway tree so we can get a biopsy."

Biomedical imaging and image analysis is proving to be critically important for the modern diagnosis and follow-up of disease. Imaging can show a four-dimensional model of a tumor so it can be sufficiently analyzed and measured. Data gained from this valuable tool can help physicians determine the most appropriate treatment recommendation for the patient. In addition, using digital imaging techniques allows McLennan and Sonka to follow the disease over time, and provides anatomical and/or morphological information, as well as other image-based measurements.

"We work together because no single person can cover the entire range of expertise needed for a complex research project. It’s challenging and interesting work," said Sonka. "To see the outcomes of your research become a tangible result adopted by others and used to help sick individuals is a fantastic reward."

Sonka and McLennan work on several biomedical imaging projects that can be translated to patient care, many of them funded through the National Institutes of Health.

To expand the already impressive imaging research across the UI campus, these researchers are establishing the Iowa Institute for Biomedical Imaging. This will facilitate cross-college research and discovery in biomedical imaging, as well as improve training and education. The Institute was approved by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, at the October meeting. The program will be closely linked with the University of Iowa Institute for Biomedical Discovery (see story on page 10).

"We’re looking forward to the opportunities that shared space will provide. If there is physical space on the medical campus for engineers to work, we can more readily access clinically important imaging data and have interaction with physicians. Undoubtedly, this will improve the results of our work and help to bring forth new ideas," said Sonka.

At the UI, the administrative leaders of the College of Engineering and Carver College of Medicine have strongly supported multidisciplinary research. John Buatti, MD, professor and head of radiation oncology, Laurie Fajardo, MD, professor and head of radiology, and Paul Rothman, MD, professor and head of internal medicine, each hired a faculty member who will split their time between their respective departments in the Carver College of Medicine and the College of Engineering.

"The atmosphere on campus is unusual in that faculty members receive a lot of support for conducting research across disciplines. It’s more a culture of collaboration than competition," said McLennan. "We’re looking forward to establishing the imaging institute as a truly collaborative initiative. We’ll be able to expand UI image-based research and use the discoveries to improve the health of patients through efficient translation of the results to the clinic."