The tasks and services to be performed by the Image Analysis and Biostatistics Resource fall into six broadcategories: 1) to make additional computational and centralized image storage facilities available to ICMICinvestigators thereby facilitating data sharing between projects; 2) to make specialized image processing anddisplay software available, allowing the sharing of the software licenses and centralizing support; 3) toprovide software development capabilities for the performance of specialized processing and analysesincluding the automation of bulk processing tasks, format conversions and the development of newalgorithms; 4) to consult on issues regarding imaging protocols, optimal acquisition settings, quantitation andon the modeling of tracer kinetics; 5) to provide biostatistical expertise in the design and analysis of researchstudies and to conduct statistical analyses and modeling of data generated by those studies; and 6) toconduct research leading to the development of new capabilities of common benefit to the ICMIC projects.The Image Analysis and Biostatistics Resource is proposed to exist (and has existed) within the context ofthe larger MSKCC core facility environment which includes substantial computer information systems andbiostatistical support. However, these hospital wide resources do not address the specialized needs of anICMIC program, particularly with regard to aspects of the image acquisition, processing and analysisprocedures that are common and somewhat unique to the ICMIC projects. To fill these specialized needs, anew resource was and continues to be warranted. The imaging and biostatistics components were combinedinto a single resource in order to facilitate communication between these two elements, thus promoting acomplete and consistent statistical handling of the image data along the entire analysis pipeline.
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