Projects / Programmes
Functions and technologies of complex systems
January 1, 2015
- December 31, 2021
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.06.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Systems and cybernetics |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T111 |
Technological sciences |
Imaging, image processing |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.06 |
Engineering and Technology |
Medical engineering
|
medical images, hyperspectral imaging, image segmentation, image registration, image-guided procedures, visual quality control, nanostructured surfaces, nanoparticles, cancer cells, implants, nonautonomous oscillators, endothelial cells, chronotaxic oscillations
Researchers (42)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Research will be focused around three themes.
Image analysis in medicine and pharmacy. We will continue developing novel image analysis methods that will allow more effective extraction of information from medical and other images, and improved image-guidance of medical procedures and processes in pharmaceutical industry. Our research will be balanced between fundamental aspects of image analysis and applications. Research will be focused on: (i) image-guided endovascular intracranial procedures, (ii) automated detection of brain lesions in multiple sclerosis patient, (iii) assessment of pedicle morphology from 3D spine images for pedicle screw placement (iv) development of NIR hyperspectral processing to detect, localize and quantify early stages of dental caries, and (v) development of novel methods for the visual inspection of pharmaceutical tablets and capsules.
Novel nanomaterials for biomedical applications. During the past decade, development of new nanomaterials for biomedical applications became an important research area. Within the proposed project we shall fabricate and characterize new nanostructured surfaces and new nanoparticles tailored for specific biomedical applications. Among others, new nanostructured implant coatings, nanostructured biosensors and new antibacterial nanostructured surfaces. Novel nanotechnology based methods for suppression of spreading of cancer cells via membrane vesiculation in the body will be proposed. Improved biointerfaces and biomaterials in the nanometer scale visualization methods will contribute to new fundamental knowledge on nanomaterials’ properties and cell response (like membrane vesiculation or membrane nanotubes formation), thus enabling better design of biomaterials for the future biomedical applications and more efficient diseases treatment.
Novel approaches in treating complex biological systems. The theory of complex systems has recently been expanded to include nonautonomous oscillatory systems that can stabilize their own characteristic frequencies, despite being subject to continuous perturbation from the environment (named chronotaxic). Their dynamics is time-varying and, until recently, was treated as stochastic. Its deterministic characteristics can now be identified, thus increasing diagnostic and prognostic possibilities in treating complex systems. New methods for time series analysis of nonautonomous, chronotaxic dynamics were also proposed. Armed with these new developments we now plan to study both, technical and biological systems including (i) environmentall effects on thyroid dysfuntion, (ii) fluctuation in tissue oxygenation in diabetes, (ii) interactions between cardiovascular oscillations and brain waves in dementia, (iv) physics of cancer, and (v) chronotaxic properties of the cell membrane potential.
Significance for science
The background for the proposed work in the last couple of years has been published in high impact journals and attracted much attention – both in the mass media and at scientific conferences. Based on the past scientific publications, successful application of novel ideas and methods, transfer and implementation of knowledge into healthcare institutions and industry, and the present research programme proposal, it is expected that the impact of the proposed research project will also be significant. During execution of the planned research programme and through extensive multidisciplinary research collaborations between academia, healthcare providers, medical device manufacturers, drug developers, and pharmaceutical industry, we expect that mutual exchange of knowledge, views, findings, needs and innovative solutions, will lead to novel discoveries and will reveal new and challenging research opportunities. We expect several relevant contributions to the engineering and medical sciences. Some of these are: (i) increased understanding and contribution to the awareness of the potentials and pitfalls of each of the developed image analysis method and system, achieved through scientifically rigorous and objective validation of existing state of the art and novel image analysis methods, (ii) promotion of further research and development of image analysis methods, and facilitation of objective evaluation and comparison studies, by making standard validation image data sets with benchmark results publicly available to the research community, (iii) application of image analysis techniques to improved diagnosis, therapy planning and therapy delivery related several anatomical structures and pathologies, (iv) formulation of guidelines for quantitative measurements in longitudinal studies, (v) advancement of understanding and monitoring of progression of several diseases, achieved through their objective and reproducible in vivo multi-modality imaging-based measurements, (vi) evolution and improvement of related clinical guidelines and treatment plans, by promoting objective and quantitative measurements in addition to the more subjective neurological status assessment, (vii) faster development and assessment of novel drugs and other innovative ways of therapy, by enabling early decision-making based on objective measurements, (viii) reduction of the numbers of patients required to assess a given treatment effect in a trial by improved accuracy and sensitivity of quantified anatomical structures, (ix) more reliable characterization of individual patients for personalized treatment, and (x) novel fabrication of nanostructures with better physical and chemical (catalytic) properties because of higher available surface due to nano sized structure. Fabrication of new nanoparticle and new nanostructured surfaces may thus lead to improvement of the technological level in industrial production connected to applications in medicine, in pharmaceutical industry, in production of new titanium implants and in fabrication of novel antibacterial surfaces. Nanostructured titanium surfaces are also of high interest as a photocatalyst and for solar cells applications. (xi) New methods for supressing the cancer spreding in human body, (xii) characterization of the ability of living systems to respond to fluctuations coming from the external and internal environments, and (xii) understanding of the mechanisms that stabilise the frequency and amplitude of the associated oscillations in living systems, that are characterised as interacting self-sustained non-autonomous oscillators.
High quality scientific research may also influence university education, while the scientific achievements on the international level enhances the international image of the group, institutions and Slovenia and improves the national scientific development.
Significance for the country
The ultimate success of a new methods and technology is measured by their impact on current practices and also through its contributions to scientific knowledge. The following specific benefits to the Slovenian society and industry is expected:
Benefits in terms of the results: Innovative design, development and application of the techniques as well as dissemination, evaluation and transfer of the results will contribute to the visibility, reputation and affirmation of the research team, of the involved institutions (University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electical Engineering and medical Faculty) and of the Republic of Slovenia in the international scientific research community. The results of the proposed research project are expected to primarly impact the fields of engineering and medicine, providing direct benefits for the patients, medical doctors, and also for the society as innovations in these fields lead to shorter patient recovery times, greater patient comfort, lower risk of complications, and faster patient throughput.
Transfer of knowledge from academia to industry: The research team will not only strenghten its collaboration with the Slovenian companies but will also approach high-tech companies Slovenian and foreign companies that develop or manufacture relevant devices and systems and which will express interest in technology that will be developed within this programme.
Human resources development: The abilities and skills of the researchers fully or partially connected to the proposed research programme will be improved either during or as a result of the programme by means of mini courses, dissemination of the results, sharing of information, or by any other form of collaboration with formal research. The highly relevant and interesting research topic and the expertise of the research team are expected to attract new talented researchers.
Strengthening of the institutional capacities: The proposed research programme will enable acquiring new and reconditioning, improving and renovating the existing elements of hardware, software, literature, and administrative and management systems.
Increased and more effective collaboration: Working relationships with different individuals, organizations and institutions, whether they are directly related to the research or not, will be established and strengthened, leading to more effective future collaborations.
Funds and resources: The ability to generate new financial, technical or organizational support resources for future research projects will increase for the proposers as well as for the institutions involved in the research programme.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2015,
interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2015,
interim report
