Workshop has set the scene for “Biomedical Imaging for drug discovery and development” and started important dialogues
Participants at the workshop on Biomedical Imaging.
Up to now synchrotron techniques have rarely been used in the latter stages of biomedical drug development and drug discovery processes. A novel educational workshop, organised by the Biomedical Imaging working group, as part of LINXS’ theme IPDD, gathered 40 participants in mid-October, with another 23 people attending online.
– I see the use of synchrotron imaging as a method to turn to when you get stuck during a drug discovery and development process. To be able to see what is happening in high resolution during experiments with live animals can potentially add that extra bit of information you need, says Lars E. Olsson, Professor of Medical Physics at Lund University, and working group leader.
Processes, hurdles and development of new drugs explained
During the workshop, scientists from the pharmaceutical industry explained the process and the hurdles in drug discovery and development, and how biomedical imaging can be used to facilitate the process. Educational lectures were also given, which reviewed the imaging methods for both synchrotron imaging and competing imaging technologies. In addition, state-of-the-art lectures on biomedical imaging applications from the synchrotron facilities at ESRF and PSI, were also presented.
In the panel debate that followed, the focus was on how biomedical imaging can be developed at MAX-IV. The main topics were “ECO-system”, i.e.how do we bring researchers together from different disciplines for applications at MAX-IV? Further, it was discussed that the many, but scattered initiatives, to promote in-vivo imaging are suboptimal to promote the MedMAX beamline. In addition, the need for practical help to users with data handling and analysis were expressed.
– It is important to concentrate efforts, and gather these scattered initiatives, as well as look into ways to support researchers looking to use X-rays. One aspect of that is getting networks and contacts together so that we are ready once MedMAX opens. The field of drug discovery is moving very fast, and here we have techniques that can yield novel information.
Lars E Olsson, reflects that he is happy with the workshop:
– It was very well received, and it set the scene for progress on “Biomedical Imaging for drug discovery and development”. During the day, we started dialogues that will be bring scientists together on future in-vivo drug applications at MAX IV, he says.