Biomedical Imaging Group Rotterdam
The Biomedical Imaging Group Rotterdam (BIGR) is at the forefront of research in medical image analysis & artificial intelligence (AI). We aim to improve efficiency and quality of healthcare by developing innovative AI methods in medical imaging.
We focus on both fundamental and applied research, covering the topics of image analysis, machine learning, image reconstruction, quantitative imaging biomarkers, image-guided interventions, making use of both research data and routine clinical data.
We have a strong outward look: towards other imaging sources, other diagnostic modalities, integrated diagnostics, collaboration with clinical departments. We have strong collaborations with many researchers, clinicians and industry partners.
June 2, 2026
We’re excited to announce that the BIGR Open Lab Day will take place on June 2nd, 2026, from 15:00 to 18:00. Please mark your calendars for this important event!!!
Adriana Neves and Danilo Andrade De Jesus presented their work and received travel grants
May 11, 2026
Anne is part of the scientific communication theater show explaining science to kids
Imaging infrastructure for the COllaboration for New TReatments of Acute Stroke Consortium
2023 - 2028
Medical imaging research repositories commonly rely on XNAT to store and organize imaging datasets and associated metadata. The amounts of data sometimes make it daunting to interpret the data. An AI agent based on Large Language Models (LLMs) can help answer meaningful questions about the data on an XNAT server and perform curation basic tasks. However, before AI agents can interact with XNAT, XNAT’s functionality must first be exposed through a standardized tool interface. XNAT offers a REST-API for programmatic access to the database. To make it easier for python users we created the XNATpy package. But there is currently no mechanism that exposes XNAT/XNATpy in a manner directly consumable by AI agents. One emerging approach is the Model Context Protocol MCP. In this project, we propose to create a MCP layer for XNAT/XNATpy to communicate with an AI agent. To validate functionality, a test agent should be used to answer questions about the data on XNAT the user has access to and help with simple data management tasks.
The Rotterdam Study is a large population-based cohort designed to investigate causes and consequences of age-related diseases. Since 2005, brain imaging has been performed in over 6,000 participants using a 1.5T MRI scanner. A hardware upgrade in 2020 resulted in changes in signal reception across brain regions, introducing variability in subjects scanned directly before and after the scanner ugrade. This complicates longitudinal analysis, which is essential to study long-term disorders such as dementia. The aim of this project is to evaluate and apply feature-based harmonization methods (e.g., ComBat) and to explore deep learning-based approaches to correct for scanner-related variability in imaging biomarkers. Once harmonized, the data can be used to address longitudinal research questions, such as the association between cortical thickness and dementia risk. There is flexibility to explore specific research questions in the context of dementia. We are looking for a motivated student with an interest in neuroimaging analysis and epidemiology.
The aim of this project is to translate an existing deep learning framework for qMRI from synthetic data to real clinical MRI data. The student will retrain and validate the model using data from healthy volunteers, with the goal of moving qMRI closer to clinical acceptance.
In our Group we continously have MSc and BSc thesis/internship projects in various topics, including applied medical image analysis, image guidance in intervention and therapy, neuroimage analysis, quantitative MR reconstruction, eye imaging, prostate and breast cancer analysis, computational population biology, and musculoskeletal image analysis. Check the full list of available projects here, or contact Prof. Stefan Klein for more information.
Biomedical Imaging Group Rotterdam is a part of Erasmus MC
