City scientists scan in £25k prize cash

Published on Monday 27 October 2008 09:20

RESEARCHERS from Edinburgh University have been awarded £25,000 to propel their work into complex medical scanning.

Scientists from the Blackford Analysis, led by Dr Ben Panter, were given the prizemoney for winning a prestigious business plan competition.

Organised by Research Councils UK (RCUK), the team fought off fierce competition with its complex algorithm, which will stabilise the images produced, ensuring that scans can deliver life-changing results.

At the moment, one in ten scans is useless because of distortion – often caused by movement – which can cause problems for patients and great expense to hospitals.

The proposal will offer a major breakthrough, saving millions for hospitals and ensuring patients get the most from scans.

Scientists from Heriot-Watt University were among the runners-up of the competition, for their work on laser pens, led by Dr Henry Bookey.