PRIAn

PATTERN RECOGNITION AND IMAGE ANALYSIS

Introduction

By improving the analysis and interpretation of medical and biological images, we will bring novel imaging methods to fruition for the benefit of the biomedical research community and, ultimately, the patient population.

The main mission of the research unit PRIAn (Pattern Recognition and Image Analysis) is to provide a new conceptual framework to unravel multiparametric information generated by advanced imaging methods, and to define more objective and quantitative criteria for their interpretation. We bring together experience and approaches from diverse areas of research that share the common problem of representation and analysis of complex data-sets. We believe that concepts and algorithms developed in different contexts, which are not conventionally associated with biomedical imaging, may provide a novel and powerful means to analyze and interpret biomedical images. PRIAn is a unit of the research area Computer Science and Applications at the IMT Institute for Advanced Studies Lucca, Italy. It represents a partnership between IMT and IIT@NEST, the Center for Nanotechnology Innovation (CNI) of the Instituto Italiano de Tecnologia.

People


Research topics

Imaging for the life sciences
Due to our strong experience in the medical research and clinical field we approach several clinical and science problems from a unique perspective. We are actively involved in the research areas of brain imaging and cardiac imaging, centering our efforts in MRI imaging. We combine advanced algorithmic routines to extract biomarker information from images and identify unique characteristics, phenotypes, and topology. We are particularly active in data driven approaches (data mining) where new phenotypes and structures are discovered without posing formal hypotheses. Central to our research is the use of network theory in developing novel representations of complex data. We also have experience in using and analyzing other imaging modalities, such as Atomic Force Microscopy, Fluorescence Microscopy to look at interactions at the cellular and molecular level. We work with various plant and animal model organisms and always aim to rapidly translate our findings to the clinical arena.

Imaging for cultural heritage preservation
Taking advantage of IMT'’s uniqueness in having a Ph.D. Program in Management and Development of Cultural Heritage and Italy'’s long history in art, we work in digital restoration and visualization of cultural heritage works. We have previously developed methods for the colorization, registration, and correction of illumination of archival photos of monumental works by Matisse and Picasso. By combining novel imaging techniques and modalities with advanced computational methods for analysis, visualization, and interaction we hope to provide the conservation and curation arenas with new and unique tools.



Collaborations

The research unit collaborates with several research centers, universities, and institutions around the world and in Italy, among which are: Northwestern University (USA), Cedar's Sinai Medical Center (USA), The Art Institute of Chicago (USA), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece), The University of Thrace (Greece), Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa (Italy), Scuola Superiore Sant-Anna (Italy), Museo Picasso (France).


Collaborators:

Past and Current Funding

European Commission
FP7: People Program PHIDIAS - Phenotyping with a High-throughput, Intelligent, Distributed, and Integrated Analysis System

US Agencies
National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Image Analysis for Cardiac MR Imaging
United States Department of Transportation (USDoT) - Novel transmission and analysis methods for transportation applications

Foundations
The San Diego Foundation, The Andrew Mellon Foundation, Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation.