Frontiers of biomedical imaging science 2009: Workshop report and research opportunities

The second "Frontiers of Biomedical Imaging Science" conference highlighted recent advances and applications in state-of-the-art imaging science. By covering all modalities in selected areas of application, it fills a void within imaging not met by other meetings. The major themes to emerge from this meeting centered on the need to advance quantitative imaging biomarkers to a point at which they can be incorporated into multicenter trials. In particular, the view was expressed that there are critical needs for (a) establishing reproducibility in existing and emerging imaging biomarkers, (b) new imaging targets and associated probes, (c) improvements in quantification methods, and (d) practical and intelligent integration of multiple imaging modalities. Furthermore, these methods must be advanced to provide reliable, "turn-key" techniques so that multicenter trials featuring advanced imaging can become a reality. The interested reader is encouraged to visit the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science web site for more information.