Precision Imaging is one of our six Beacons of Excellence – transdisciplinary areas of world-leading research excellence that address global challenges.

Our Beacons of Excellence were unveiled at the Royal Society in London at the launch of the University of Nottingham’s Research Vision, a landmark investment of  more than £200m in our people and our research.

Our ambition is for our University to be recognised as among the very best in the world. Our Beacons of Excellence are at the core of this global vision.

The beacons will drive significant inward investment to our internationally renowned research areas, and support our ambitious vision by increasing collaboration, strengthening networks and partnerships, attracting diverse funding, and raising the reputation of our world-changing research.

Each beacon addresses a key global challenge and collectively they address all 17 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Following introductions to Propulsion Futures and the Rights Lab, the spotlight now falls on Precision Imaging.

We are the home of MRI and our pioneering invention continues to transform lives and medical care across the world. MRI is now used in more than 60 million clinical examinations around the world every year.

We have an internationally leading position in biomedical imaging research, and our advances in medical imaging are driving the development of personalised therapies in mental health and other chronic diseases.

Professor Dorothee Auer, Director of Precision Imaging, said Nottingham’s biomedical imaging research has revolutionised medical diagnosis across the world.

The next step for precision imaging in medicine is to deliver personalised and pre-emptive care — where treatments are tailored to each person’s individual pathology and health risk.

Professor Auer added: “The hope for such a healthcare revolution is underpinned by massively accelerated biomedical breakthroughs fuelled by technological, science and knowledge advances and, last but not least, big data.

“The bottleneck problem for personalised or precision medicine is diagnosis: how to identify the person at risk of becoming ill, the person who needs treating, and, above all, the right treatment.

“Our vision is that next generation imaging can address these diagnostic needs — providing the magic looking glass and guiding the magic wand of precision medicine.”

• Read more about this revolution in healthcare in Professor Auer’s Introducing Precision Imaging blog
• Discover more about Precision Imaging
• Find out how the very latest wide-bore MRI scanning equipment is increasing understanding of the placenta’s role of ensuring the right amount of oxygen and nutrients reach the baby in the womb.

Over the coming weeks we will introduce the remaining three Beacons of Excellence: Future Food, Smart Industrial Systems and Green Chemicals, while highlighting how our investment is supporting all researchers in the delivery of exceptional discoveries.

What our Research Vision means for you

We cannot achieve the ambitious goals of our Research Vision without the support of researchers and all colleagues working across the University.

Research colleagues should have received a guide entitled ‘What our Research Vision means for you’. This guide outlines the opportunities available, and where to go for help and support. You can also access the guide on the dedicated Research Vision Workspace. A guide to the opportunities our research investment offers to Professional Services and support staff is also now available on the Research Vision Workspace.

Our beacons are just part of a significant investment in the resources, people, infrastructure and environment essential to delivering our world-leading discoveries and your input, support and engagement is invaluable.

We will be holding further research roadshows over the summer for you to hear Professor Dame Jessica Corner outline what the Research Vision means for you, and how you can get involved – to support and shape the future of research at our University. Look out for more roadshow dates in the coming weeks.