Project description
Exploiting Compton scattering for PET image quality optimisation
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique that uses radioactive tracers to diagnose a large variety of diseases, monitor therapy and support biomedical research. PET images reveal metabolic activity and help identify abnormal tissue such as tumours. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the COSINE project aims to exploit Compton scattering to increase PET sensitivity and enable novel applications. Sensitivity enhancement translates into better image quality or reduced radiation dose for the patient. COSINE includes the development of advanced algorithms and models grounded in solid mathematical and physical foundations, specifically designed to incorporate Compton scattering events into dedicated image reconstruction frameworks. These models will be evaluated using both Monte Carlo simulations and experimental PET data.
Objective
The main goal of my proposal is to exploit Compton scattering in PET imaging, a nuclear imaging technique well-established in clinical routine, mainly in oncology as a tool for tumor diagnosis and monitoring, but also through preclinical PET as an essential tool for pharmacology and drug development. By considering signal events undergoing Compton scattering, I expect to increase the sensitivity of PET systems, and so improve the attainable image quality. Sensitivity in PET systems is a key parameter to be optimized, as it could allow for dose exposure and/or scan time reduction, in addition to being critical in low-count regime scenarios, for pediatric patients, and in research applications involving small-animal imaging. Aside from increasing the sensitivity, the purposeful detection of Compton scattering in PET imaging opens the door for the use of this modality for new applications (e.g. immunoPET, theranostics...). However, incorrect/simplified modeling of these events can degrade PET image quality. My proposal relies on developing algorithms and models based on solid mathematical and physical foundations, able to include events involving Compton scattering into dedicated reconstruction frameworks. To this end, I intend to use the knowledge I have acquired during my PhD developing similar models and algorithms for imaging with Compton cameras. Specifically, I intend to address three questions: first, the inclusion of inter-crystal scatter events with particular focus on small-animal PET imaging; second, the modeling of object scattered events and their use in low-count regime scenarios; and third, the treatment of coincidence events that involve an additional emission of photons, either correlated or uncorrelated to the positron emission. The evaluation of the proposed methods will be carried out using both Monte-Carlo simulations and experimental PET data, for which the facilities and technologies developed by the host team in Lübeck will be employed.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
23562 Lubeck
Germany
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