Experimentelles Umfeld in der Radiologie: nachhaltig Forschen

Zusammenfassung

Ziel

Forschung erfordert hohe Geldsummen, die indirekt von den Steuerzahlern bereitgestellt werden. Daher ist es wichtig, dass diese nachhaltig ist und nicht nur der Karriereentwicklung einzelner Personen dient. Ziel dieses Artikels ist es zu erörtern, was nachhaltige Forschung in der Radiologie ist, wie diese gestaltet werden kann und vor allem aufzuzeigen, dass diese möglich ist.

Materialien und Methoden

Es gibt verschiedene Ansätze, Nachhaltigkeit zu erreichen, die von reinem Erkenntnisgewinn, über translatierte Geräte und Kontrastmittel bis zu neuen klinischen Anwendungen reichen. Im ersten Schritt sollte man sich genau klar werden, was man mit der Forschung erreichen will und hierbei den Neuheitswert und den zu erwartenden Impact kritisch abwägen. Nachfolgend bedarf es einer sorgfältigen, langfristigen Planung des Vorhabens über oft 5–15 Jahre mit Definition klarer Teilschritte. Eine Sicherstellung der Finanzierung ist hierbei genauso wichtig, wie eine regelmäßige Kommunikation der Ergebnisse. Oftmals ist es hierbei sinnvoll frühzeitig die Zulassungsstellen und Verwertungspartner in das Vorhaben zu involvieren.

Ergebnisse und Schlussfolgerung

Die akademische Radiologie sollte sich nicht darauf beschränken, als Testplattform für Bildgebungsgeräte und Kontrastmittel aus der Industrie zu dienen, sondern versuchen, eigene Ideen und Entwicklungen zu verwirklichen. Viele akademische Standorte weltweit haben gezeigt, dass dies möglich ist. Beispiele aus meiner eigenen Forschung, insbesondere bezüglich der Entwicklung und Translation der Superresolution-Ultraschallbildgebung und der Entwicklung von Diagnostika und Nanopharmazeutika werden in diesem Artikel erläutert und Herausforderungen in verschiedenen Entwicklungsschritten diskutiert. Junge Radiologen werden ermutigt, sich größere und langfristigere Ziele zu setzen, um so unser Feld nachhaltig zu beeinflussen und weiterzuentwickeln.

Kernaussagen

• Nachhaltige Forschung erfordert Kreativität und sorgfältige Planung.

• Nachhaltige Forschung kann an mehreren Stufen des „Technical Readiness Levels“ einsetzen.

• Langfristige Planung des Gesamtkonzepts (5–15 Jahre) mit klaren Zwischenschritten ist essenziell.

• Die Kooperation mit der Industrie ist oft sinnvoll.

• Drittmittelakquise muss begleitend sichergestellt werden.

Abstract

Purpose

Research requires large sums of money that are indirectly provided by taxpayers. It is therefore important that research is sustainable and does not just serve the career development of individuals. The aim of this article is to discuss what sustainable research in radiology is, how it can be organised and, above all, to show that it is possible.

Materials and Methods

There are various approaches to achieving sustainability, ranging from purely gaining knowledge to translated devices and contrast agents, and to new clinical applications. The first step is to clarify exactly what is intended to be achieved with the research and critically weigh up the novelty value and the expected impact. This should be followed by careful, long-term planning of the project over a period of 5–15 years with the definition of clear sub-steps. Securing funding is just as important here as regular communication of the results. It often makes sense to involve the regulatory authorities and commercialisation partners in the project at an early stage.

Results and Conclusion

Academic radiology should not limit itself to serving as a test platform for imaging devices and contrast agents from industry, but should try to realise its own ideas and developments. Many academic centres around the world have shown that this is possible. Examples from my own research, particularly in relation to the development and translation of super-resolution ultrasound imaging and the development of diagnostics and nanopharmaceuticals, are explained in this article and challenges at various stages of development are discussed. Young radiologists are encouraged to set bigger and more long-term goals in order to influence and develop our field in a sustainable way.

Key Points

• Sustainable research requires creativity and careful planning

• Sustainable research can start at several stages of the technical readiness level

• Long-term planning of the overall concept (5–15 years) with clear intermediate steps is essential

• Cooperation with industry is often useful

• Acquisition of third-party funding must be ensured at the same time

Schlüsselwörter

THEMES - contrast agents - technology assessment - METHODS & TECHNIQUES - ultrasound - ethics - Translation - Spin-Off

Publication History

Received: 06 December 2023

Accepted after revision: 13 February 2024

Article published online:
13 March 2024

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