Images of Tomorrow: The Image Science Community in Utrecht

Utrecht has a rich history in microscopy and image processing, with several clusters at the Science Park ready for collaboration. We spoke with Lukas Kapitein and Dennis Klomp, chair and vice-chair of the recently established Image Science Community. Kapitein is professor of molecular and cellular biophysics at the UU's science faculty, and Klomp works as a professor on medical imaging at UMC Utrecht.

According to Kapitein and Klomp, there's much to gain between microscopy and medical imaging. “With medical imaging, we can not only depict human anatomy, but also get increasingly closer to the cell,” says Klomp. "For instance, we can now map metabolism." At the same time modern microscopy techniques enable zooming in on the molecular architecture of the cells, an area in which Kapitein specializes. As a researcher, he recognizes the need for collaboration. He points to the ten-year-old Bio-imaging Utrecht as an example of effective local collaboration in microscopy. According to him, the new Image Science Community comes at a perfect time. "Medical and biological imaging have considerable combined potential; now is the time to utilize it."

What can we expect from the community?

The diversity of Utrecht's imaging field is reflected in the newly appointed community board. The first meeting was already productive, with pronounced expectations and a clear interest in everyone's field of work. Notably, there was a push for substantive focus. "We are already exploring concrete collaborations, for example, how our higher-resolution microscopy could be useful for pathology," says Kapitein. We have a strong expertise in expansion microscopy, a technology for enlarging samples that enables imaging large tissue samples with very high resolutions and whose potential for pathology has so far remained unexplored.

Different communities can learn a lot from each other. “For example, in human imaging, we don't always see the same thing as in microscopy,” Klomp explains. As an example, he mentions organoids: tiny organs cultivated to resemble natural organs as closely as possible. "In a chemotherapy study, we saw in vivo the exact opposite of what was tested in an organoid. It turned out to be about a substance that was not in the growth medium for the respective organoid," Klomp explains. "You only discover such things when you collaborate."

The Utrecht Science Park is much more than just the university and the medical center

Several collaborations are already active on the Science Park, for example the collaboration between different microscopy centers within Bio-imaging Utrecht. Kapitein looks forward to growing these existing clusters and stimulating more collaborations. He also emphasizes that Utrecht is part of a larger national and international playing field with many existing collaborations. "The Netherlands is strongly focusing on imaging," Klomp adds. "This is reflected in the thematic choices of the NWO, where imaging has a place in both the Life Sciences and the Medical Sciences. These choices are inspired by excellent Dutch research," says Klomp. In this, Utrecht plays a significant role. Broadly, there are still many connections to be made. "The Utrecht Science Park is much more than just the university and the medical center. It provides a platform for broad collaboration, for instance, in the field of Artificial Intelligence," says Kapitein.

Powerful examples

Kapitein emphasizes that collaboration, including between theoreticians and technicians, is essential for innovation. An example of such collaboration is image-guided interventions. Klomp explains: A medical intervention benefits from visual feedback. By applying imaging, we monitor live during the treatment. In radiotherapy, this is done with the MRI Linac. "With it, for example, you can give a tumor the full dose without affecting the surrounding tissue." Kapitein adds that image-guided intervention is also an emerging theme in microscopy. While imaging we can locally use light alter specific processes to modulate cellular behavior. To do this as controlled as possible we are currently developing automated image-guide intervention.

Local strength

In Utrecht, there is the largest cluster of Life Sciences research in Europe, all on the small postage stamp of the Utrecht Science Park. Klomp summarizes the effectiveness of this: "It's ultimately about the patient. You can collaborate with a group in America, but then try to get your samples back and forth or get all the facilities together. All of that is readily available here in Utrecht. I can now scan the patient here, send the sample to the pathologist, who can then put the particle back into the microscope and so on." Getting science to the clinic, Klomp finds that a beautiful mechanism to see in action.

Future plans

For Kapitein, it all starts with getting to know each other and each other’s research. The first year will be dedicated to visiting each other's locations, after which the bridge-building begins. He's excited about the future: "I'm looking forward to exciting collaborations."