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Advances in medical imaging techniques

Guest Editors

Yutong Liu, PhD, University of Nebraska Medical Center, USA 
Jian Rong, PhD, Emory University, USA 


BMC Methods published this Collection on Advances in medical imaging techniques. This Collection invited submissions showcasing advanced imaging modalities, novel biomedical applications, including neuroimaging, cancer imaging, and cardiovascular imaging, and methodological advancements in the synthesis and optimization of radiopharmaceuticals and molecular probes. Furthermore, we invited submissions presenting innovative methodologies for image analysis, data fusion, and visualization. By highlighting advancements in spatial and temporal resolution, sensitivity, and specificity, this Collection aimed to advance understanding and application of medical imaging in disease diagnosis, characterization, and treatment.

Meet the Guest Editors

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Yutong Liu, PhD, University of Nebraska Medical Center, USA 

Dr Yutong Liu is Professor of Radiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The goals of his research include developing noninvasive imaging biomarkers for the diagnosis, disease progression monitoring, and therapeutic assessment of neurodegenerative disorders, stroke, and brain tumors in small animals. His current projects include MRI measurements of pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of antiretroviral drugs and in vivo imaging of neuroimmune dysfunction associated with ARV and drug abuse. To achieve these goals, his lab has developed innovative imaging and image analysis techniques.

Jian Rong, PhD, Emory University, USA 

Dr Jian Rong is a Senior Scientist at Emory University. His research interests include the labeling of radioisotopes and the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals for positron emission tomography (PET). He earned his PhD in Organic Chemistry with Professor Jinbo Hu at Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (SIOC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in 2017. His doctoral research focused on the synthesis of fluorinated compounds. Following that, he pursued his postdoctoral research in 18F-labeling and neuroimaging with Professor Steven H. Liang at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School (HMS). In 2022, he joined Emory University and continued his research in radioisotope labeling and radiopharmaceutical development for PET imaging and radiotherapy.

About the Collection

Imaging modalities that allow for the visualization of multiple anatomical and functional aspects of biological systems have provided critical insights into living organisms’ biological processes and diseases. As examples, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and positron emission tomography have shown to be crucial for better diagnosis, characterization, and treatment of various diseases. Despite notable advancements in the field, there's still a need to enhance spatial and temporal resolution, sensitivity, and specificity.

In recognition of this important field, BMC Methods published this Collection which encouraged submissions including but not limited to those addressing:

  • Development in methodological approaches for advanced imaging modalities, such as PET, SPECT, MRI, CT, ultrasounds, photoacoustic, elastography, magnetic particle imaging
  • Imaging in various biomedical applications, such as neuroimaging, cancer imaging, and cardiovascular imaging
  • Advances in nuclear imaging (development of radiopharmaceuticals)
  • Integration of multi-modal imaging techniques and hybrid methodologies for improved molecular visualization
  • Methodological advancements in the synthesis, validation, and optimization of molecular probes for specific molecular and cellular targets
  • Innovative methodologies for image analysis, data fusion, and visualization


Image credit: © Nikolai / stock.adobe.com

  1. Medical imaging techniques play a crucial role in diagnosing major diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and neurological disorders. The BMC Methods Collection “Advances in medical imaging techniques...

    Authors: Jian Rong and Yutong Liu
    Citation: BMC Methods 2024 1:10
    Content type: Editorial Published on:

  2. Primary tumour biology and axillary lymph node status are key prognostic factors in breast cancer treatment. The LowMag trial introduced a magnetic sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure using a superparamagneti...

    Authors: Anke Christenhusz, Anneriet E. Dassen, Margreet C. van der Schaaf, Sadaf Salamzadeh, Mariël Brinkhuis, Bennie ten Haken and Lejla Alic
    Citation: BMC Methods 2024 1:6
    Content type: Methodology Published on:

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Methodology and Protocol Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Advances in medical imaging techniques" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.