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Scientific and medical neuroimaging are thriving fields driven by technological progress and characterized by continual, even relentless, innovation.  Imaging methods continue to change rapidly on virtually every level, from the physical principles underlying data acquisition, to experimental paradigms, to analysis approaches, to software tools.  New modalities emerge, and existing ones become more powerful. The continuing dramatic expansion of imaging capabilities expands their scope of application and makes imaging methodologies increasingly integral with their scientific application.  IBIC addresses its mission principally by the development and deployment of research resources which add value to neuroscientific projects at the UW and affiliated institutions. IBIC makes its imaging research resources available using or collaborative model or a service model.  The collaborative model is the preferred mode. 

IBIC adds value to UW neuroimaging science by provision of expertise and integration of methods and applications at several conceptual levels:

  1. Integration of acquisition (through DISC) and design/analysis (through IBIC) aspects of pilot studies.
  2. Time-integration of data acquisition channels with the I/OWA acquisition and analysis software
  3. Integration of imaging modalities and analysis approaches with the IBIC interoperable image processing environment
  4. Integration of service provision with education/development of collaborators
  5. Integration of diverse disciplines in the local brain mapping community

Collaboration step-by-step

  1. The collaborative model begins with consultation with DISC/IBIC.  Investigators should initially approach the IBIC Director or the DISC Director, who will discuss the research idea, often jointly, and help to arrange a consultation conference with multidisciplinary representation to assist the investigator to operationalize and optimize the experimental approach.
  2. Collection of pilot data requires the investigator to first complete a Project Application Form (PAF) .  Procedures for obtaining free pilot scanner time have been implemented by the Directors of the DISC 3T scanner.  Pilot time is intended to help test new ideas and procedures, generate preliminary data for a funding application, or for certain training purposes. Up to 10 hours of time can be approved.  Studies with specific plans for data analysis and specific funding objectives will have a higher priority for pilot time. 
  3. Pilot data analysis and assistance with preparation of preliminary data are collaborative activities of IBIC, and flow from the above-mentioned consultation conference under supervision of an IBIC research scientist (Johnson or Mehta), resulting in an appropriate analysis pipeline that is supported by the IBIC IT infrastructure.
  4. Finally, IBIC seeks to impart expertise to the collaborating group, through its core personnel and educational resources.
  5. Upon funding, the collaborating group supports an component of the effort of the IBIC director, the consulting research scientist, the IT personnel, and the IT infrastructure of IBIC for the duration of the project.
  6. The collaborating group may also choose to support a research assistant/data analyst at IBIC, or, especially for larger or longer range projects, may choose to provide an RA to work in the IBIC environment.
  7. The ultimate goal of the collaborative model is to promote the academic development and independence of the client laboratory, and thus enlarge the local neuroimaging community. 

Collaborating Groups

These are links to research groups at the University of Washington led by IBIC-affiliated investigators, or other IBIC stakeholders:
Vision and Cognition Group , Department of Psychology

Seattle Longitudinal Study , Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Ojemann Laboratory , Department of Neurological Surgery

Edward Novotny, Jr., MD , Department of Neurology

Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute

Shapiro Laboratory , Department of Computer Science

Ellen Schur MD , Department of Internal Medicine

Melissa Schiff , Department of Epidemiology

Structural Informatics Group , Department of Biological Structure

Neuroimaging and Biotechnology Laboratory (Satoshi Minoshima), Department of Radiology

Dager Laboratory, Department of Radiology

Allen Institute for Brain Science

Institute for Translational and Health Sciences, University of Washington