Medical research on display

A rainbow depicting the complex connections between cells inside a human brain is one of the striking images to feature in a public display.

The outdoor exhibition showcases how cutting edge imaging techniques are contributing to medical research at the University, and improving the diagnosis and monitoring of disease.

Focus on organs

Detailed images of the brain, heart, and lungs are on display at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Bioquarter campus at Little France.

Each image gives an insight to the University’s world-leading quest to develop new techniques for visualising the inner workings of the body.

Advances in imaging technologies – such as MRI, MR-PET and microscopy – are vital for the continued discovery of new methods of diagnosing, monitoring and treating disease. This exhibition gives patients an insight to research that is happening right here in Edinburgh.

Gallery

Aiding technology

On display is a detailed snapshot of the retina at the back of the eye.

A team led by the University is developing sophisticated techniques to measure changes in the blood vessels of the retina.

Monitoring these changes could provide early warning of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s, the team has found.

Heart tests

Other images include a 3D reconstruction of a patient’s heart, aorta and coronary arteries created from CT scans.

Doctors are using this technology to examine people who are suspected of having coronary artery disease.

This approach helps them to detect people at risk of heart attack, without the need for surgery.

Exhibition

The exhibition is coordinated by Edinburgh Imaging - a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh, Heriot Watt University and NHS Lothian.

It runs for five weeks from Thursday 3 September 2015.