NEUBIAS, a platform for bioimage analysts with the participation of SIMBIOSYS

Bioimage specialists are becoming a new figure within biomedical research institutions. These researchers specialize in image analysis and workflows by assembling and automating multiple computational tools. They interact with life scientists and software developers in biomedical image analysis.

The EU’s COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) networks promote the creation of international research networks based on projects with national funding, with a duration of four years. Network of European BioImage Analysts (NEUBIAS) is a COST action of the Horizon 2020 programme which was granted last December and has just begun now in 2016. It aims to maximize the impact of new technologies in the field of life sciences while stimulating research productivity in Europe based on the analysis of biomedical images.

The NEUBIAS international network comprises members from 17 countries, set to increase by a further five soon. It emerged as a proposal by 50 experts, including Julien Colombelli, head of the Image Service of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB-Barcelona). It involves the participation of Chong Zhang, postdoctoral researcher of the research group on Simulation, Modelling and Biomedical Systems (SIMBIOsys), directed by Miguel A. González Ballester, ICREA research professor of the Department of Information and Communication Technologies (DTIC) at UPF. Colombelli and Zhang are members of the steering committee of this COST action in Spain.

Chong Zhang is an engineer. She earned her PhD in 2006 by the DTIC. Her field of research deals with the recording of images of cell microscopy and the analysis of cerebrovascular morphodynamics using X-rays. After her PhD she joined the team at the University of Heidelberg (Germany, 2013-2015) and has been working on the development of algorithms for the analysis of bioimages, providing technical computational and academic support to biologists.

The mission of the NEUBIAS network is to arrange meeting points for interaction between scientists, bioanalysts, miscroscopists, developers and the private sector to create synergies, software solutions for specific problems in biological research, and best image analysis practices.

In addition, NEUBIAS is to launch a benchmark platform in this field of knowledge. The action proposes a training programme with three levels of courses, with open source teaching materials, technology transfer in bioimage analysis, short-term research stages to promote collaboration and knowledge exchange between laboratories.

Image: https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angiografia#/media/File:Cerebral_angiography,_arteria_vertebralis_sinister_injection.JPG