Focus

FOCUS

Imaging ‘We are developing new methods for improving the visualization of soft tis- sue, like that of the brain, using diffu- sion MRI,’ says Alexander Leemans, physicist and professor at UMC Utrecht. ‘The diffusion process offers informa- tion about the characteristics of the underlying tissue and can be used to study diseases, among other things. On the one hand, we are trying to measure the diffusion process more accurately using new MRI images. And on the other hand, we can use our new algo- rithms to improve the processing of the recorded diffusion information, which leads to improvements in the charac- terization of these tissues. The longterm goal of our research is, in addition to earlier diagnosis, to gain more insight into the causes and the course of spe- cific diseases, so that we can improve the targeting of treatment. ‘I am conducting this research in the PROVIDI Lab at UMC Utrecht. I have been blessed with an excellent team of young researchers (PhD students and postdocs) who have a drive that is simi- lar to mine. But I almost always collabo- rate with others outside of my own research group, both within UMC Utrecht (other divisions) and nationally and internationally.’