Project
The overall objective will be to develop and validate novel MR biomarkers of NASH. This goal will be pursued through preclinical, small animal and clinical imaging studies. Quantitative MRI methods that we develop and validate for NASH diagnosis in this research project include 3D multifrequency MR elastography, TDS, fat imaging and relaxometry.
Expected skills
The applicant (PhD or MD-PhD) should have demonstrable skills in any of the following areas: MRI, physics-based image analysis or biomedical imaging. Knowledge in radiology and hepatology is strongly encouraged. The applicant must be well organized, able to interact with people having many different levels and areas of expertise and be proficient in scientific experiment design, statistical analysis and scientific writing. The position involves French and English languages.
The position is funded by the ANR. It will be based on a renewable administrative 1-year term. Salary will be standard according to French national institutes. The applicant will be employed by Inserm.
Background
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) represents an increasing health burden and is quickly becoming the main cause of liver cancer. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) proposes several attractive markers for the diagnosis of NASH. MR elastography, because of its sensitivity to tissue visco-elasticity, is a valuable tool for assessing fibrosis and inflammation severity, while multiecho MRI, through the computation of the fat fraction in liver tissue, enables precise assessment of steatosis. More recently, temporal diffusion spectroscopy (TDS) with oscillating gradient diffusion imaging has been proposed to assess liver diseases at specific spatial scales. The most advanced forms of TDS provides estimates of the hepatocyte size which is altered in NASH.
