Grant-Funded Projects
Leading innovative research projects that advance the frontiers of quantitative MRI
Driving Innovation Through Collaboration
Our grant-funded projects demonstrate GSP's leadership in advancing quantitative imaging through partnerships with world-class institutions
NEUROQUANT
ActiveNeurovascular MR Coil Powered by Quantitative Neuroimaging Technologies
£213K
Innovate UK & InnoSuisse
2025-2026
Multi-partner consortium developing advanced phantoms and protocols for quantitative brain imaging.
Key Objectives
- Design novel phantoms for neuroimaging applications
- Integrate field monitoring technology for enhanced accuracy
- Develop optimised RF coil configurations
- Establish new standards for brain quantification
Project Partners
Field monitoring technology
RF coil optimisation
Clinical testing
Expected Impact
Setting new standards for quantitative neuroimaging, particularly for neurodegenerative disease research.
MARRS
ActiveMedTech Accelerator: Rapid Regulatory Support Fund
£30K
CPI
2025
Accelerated regulatory support to fast-track medical device approvals and market entry.
Key Objectives
- Expedite regulatory pathway for key products
- Enhance compliance documentation
- Accelerate time-to-market for new innovations
Expected Impact
Reducing regulatory approval timelines and accelerating delivery of innovation to clinical practice.
CHARM
ActiveCalibration for Hyperpolarised Applications in Research and Medicine
£440K
Innovate UK
2024-2025
Comprehensive calibration solution for hyperpolarised 13C-labelled pyruvate MRI (metabolic MRI), enabling standardised assessment across hospitals.
Key Objectives
- Develop calibration kit for metabolic MRI
- Create advanced engineering prototype phantom
- Establish online calibration platform
- Integrate calibration into data processing tools
- Validate solution at multiple clinical sites
Project Partners
Clinical validation and research
Hyperpolariser technology
Expected Impact
Enabling distinction between aggressive and indolent prostate cancers, avoiding overdiagnosis and overtreatment through standardised metabolic imaging.
PREDICT
ActiveProstate Cancer Diagnosis Enhancement through Calibrated Imaging
£2.0M
EIC Accelerator
2023-2025
Revolutionary in-vivo calibration technology for enhanced prostate cancer diagnosis using the METRION embedded phantom system.
Key Objectives
- Develop temperature-stable embedded phantom for patient scanning
- Create AI-powered calibration software for real-time ADC correction
- Clinical validation across 3 UK hospitals
- Regulatory approval pathway for CE marking and FDA approval
Project Partners
Clinical validation
Metrology standards
Data management and analytics
Clinical imaging
Expected Impact
Reducing ADC measurement variability to under 5%, enabling quantitative biomarkers for prostate cancer.
2 peer-reviewed conference abstracts to date
HealthTech Regulatory Programme
CompletedHealthTech Regulatory and Innovation Programme
£30K
CPI
2022-2023
Regulatory support programme to enhance compliance and accelerate product development.
Key Objectives
- Strengthen regulatory compliance framework
- Develop robust quality management systems
- Accelerate regulatory approvals
Expected Impact
Enhanced regulatory readiness and compliance infrastructure for medical device development.
Statistical Inference for DWI
CompletedStatistical Inference for Diffusion Measurements in Prostate MRI
£27K
Innovate UK (A4I)
2022-2023
Advanced statistical methods for improving the accuracy and reliability of diffusion-weighted imaging measurements.
Key Objectives
- Develop robust statistical inference frameworks
- Improve measurement precision in prostate DWI
- Create validation methodologies
Project Partners
Metrology standards
Expected Impact
Enhanced statistical rigor in quantitative diffusion imaging for prostate cancer assessment.
ASPIRE (Eurostars)
CompletedASL Scanner- and Patient-Independent Robust Diagnostic Evaluation
£531K
Eurostars
2020-2023
Development of the QASPER phantom for standardised ASL perfusion imaging and one-click perfusion analysis software (ExploreASL) for contrast agent free brain imaging.
Key Objectives
- Develop QASPER phantom for multi-site ASL calibration
- Create one-click perfusion analysis prototype (ExploreASL)
- Establish scanner-independent perfusion standards
- Enable automated ASL image analysis for clinical workflows
- Support Alzheimer's Disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring
Project Partners
Image analysis software (mTRIAL platform)
Research and development
Clinical validation
Expected Impact
Delivered QASPER phantom for reliable ASL imaging calibration and ExploreASL software integrated into mTRIAL platform for automated perfusion analysis in clinical trials and neurodegenerative disease research.
Automatic Calibration for Prostate MRI
CompletedAutomatic Calibration of Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers for Increased Precision in Prostate Cancer Detection
£100K
Innovate UK
2018-2019
Pioneering work on automated calibration systems for quantitative biomarkers in prostate cancer imaging.
Key Objectives
- Develop automated calibration workflows
- Improve biomarker precision
- Reduce operator variability
Expected Impact
Foundation for current automated calibration technologies in prostate MRI.
Porous Modelling for Perfusion
CompletedPorous Modelling within a Perfusion Phantom
£102K
Innovate UK (A4I)
2018-2019
Advanced modelling of porous materials to create realistic perfusion phantom tissue mimics.
Key Objectives
- Model porous media for perfusion simulation
- Develop tissue-mimicking materials
- Validate against in-vivo perfusion
Project Partners
Metrology standards
Expected Impact
Advanced phantom materials enabling more realistic perfusion imaging validation.
Traceable MRI Perfusion Calibration
CompletedTraceable Calibration for MRI Perfusion Measurement
£50K
Innovate UK (A4I)
2017-2018
Investigating metrological traceability for MRI perfusion measurements.
Key Objectives
- Develop traceable perfusion standards
- Link MRI measurements to SI units
- Establish calibration protocols
Project Partners
Metrology standards
Expected Impact
Foundation for NIST-traceable perfusion imaging standards.
QASPER Development (Phase 2)
CompletedA Gold Standard Perfusion Phantom for Quantitative MRI: Phase 2
£1.0M
SBRI
2016-2017
Full development and commercialisation of the QASPER perfusion phantom.
Key Objectives
- Complete QASPER phantom engineering
- Achieve regulatory clearance
- Establish manufacturing processes
- Launch commercial product
Expected Impact
QASPER became the world's first commercial ASL perfusion phantom, now used globally.
15 peer-reviewed publications to date
QASPER Development (Phase 1)
CompletedA Gold Standard Perfusion Phantom for Quantitative MRI: Phase 1
£100K
SBRI
2015
Feasibility study and prototype development for the QASPER perfusion phantom.
Key Objectives
- Demonstrate technical feasibility
- Develop initial prototype
- Validate concept with clinical partners
Expected Impact
Proof of concept that led to QASPER and GSP's founding.
Innovation by Numbers
Grant Funding Secured
Research Partners
Research Projects
Publications
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