Medical Physics

Medical physics is an interdisciplinary research field aiming at development of novel applications of physical processes and techniques in various fields of medicine. Medical physics has had and continues to have a profound impact on the practice of medicine by developing improved imaging and treatment technologies, and by helping to advance our understanding of the complexity of the disease. As such, medical physics is intimately connected to medicine, which is experiencing a dramatic shift from acute to chronic disease. This shift has resulted in (1) diagnostic procedures that are becoming more comprehensive, (2) therapies that are becoming more personalized and (3) better understanding of incredible complexity of various diseases, which indirectly impacts priorities for medical physics as well. The Medical Physics Research Program (MPRP) is structured around these three key challenges, which also represent the main programmatic pillars: (1) MPRP-Imaging (2) MPRP-Therapy (3) MPRP-Modeling Within (1) MPRP-Imaging we are developing novel, more sensitive and more reliable imaging technologies, as well as innovative, quantitative imaging biomarkers that can reliably diagnose disease or predict patient outcome in cancer, neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases. Within (2) MPRP-Therapy we are developing more effective immunotherapeutic, theranostics and localized image-guided treatment strategies that can combat incredible inter-lesion response heterogeneity observed in state-of-the-art precision medicine. Within (3) MPRP-Modelling we are developing novel methods in big data analytics that can account for safety-critical scenarios associated with clinical decisions and advanced transport models that can address complexity of particle interactions with specific tissues. We have assembled unique interdisciplinary MPRP research team that includes members from the major Slovenian university (University of Ljubljana), the major research institute (Jožef Stefan Institute), the main tertiary hospital (University Medical Centre Ljubljana) and the comprehensive cancer center (Institute of Oncology). MPRP research team provides key platform for: o Translation of fundamental physics research into clinical practice o Translation of cutting edge medical technologies from academia to commercialization o Education of Medical Physics and associated sciences and professions o Outreach informing general public about advanced medical physics sciences and technologies As such, Medical Physics Research Program has high propulsion and relevance for local economy and health care, which is also reflected in the popularity of the Medical Physics training, education and outreach.

Extremely dynamic progress in medicine and life sciences over the past decades has also fueled very rapid and propulsive research in medical physics. While medicine cannot prevent and cure many diseases, it is able to manage most severe acute conditions by turning them into long-term chronic conditions. Given this dramatic shift from acute to chronic diseases, the strategies for prevention and treatment are beginning to change. This shift has resulted in (1) diagnostic procedures that are becoming more comprehensive, utilizing a variety of diagnostic tools, from molecular imaging procedures to various molecular biomarkers, like genetic and molecular profiling. Similarly, (2) therapies are becoming more personalized, addressing specifics and heterogeneity of the disease in each patient. Finally, rapid progress in life sciences, particularly cell and molecular biology, has started to (3) uncover the incredible complexity of diseases, which we barely started to understand. The Medical Physics Research Program (MPRP) is structured around these key challenges, which also represent the three key program pillars: (1) MPRP-Imaging (2) MPRP-Therapy (3) MPRP-Modeling MPRP projects within these pillars are driven by needs identified primarily via our strong relationships with clinicians from Slovenia and internationally. As addressing these pillars requires an inherently interdisciplinary approach, our program involves active collaborations between physicists, oncologists, neurologists, radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians, pharmacologists, biologists and computer scientists. Within MPRP-Imaging we are developing novel, more sensitive and more reliable imaging technologies (e.g., advanced optical imaging systems, advanced detectors for PET) that can open opportunities for novel imaging applications. We are also developing innovative, quantitative imaging biomarkers that can reliably diagnose disease or predict patient outcome (e.g., early cancer detection, early detection and identification of neurodegenerative brain disorders). Within MPRP-Therapy we are developing more effective immunotherapeutic strategies and are targeting resistance with innovative localized therapies to combat incredible treatment response heterogeneity observed in precision medicine. We are also developing methodologies for image-guided interventions, including in the emerging fields of theranostics and image-guided proton therapy. Within MPRP-Modelling we are developing novel methods of big data analytics that account for safety-critical scenarios associated with clinical decisions. Similarly, we are addressing the complexity of light interaction with specific tissues and organs due to the complex structure on different scales and incomplete knowledge of their optical properties with developments of novel transport models and approximations.

Life expectancy has markedly increased due to the progress made in reducing death from acute conditions. However, advances in medicine indirectly led to a major rise in the burden of chronic long-term conditions. It is estimated that 75 % of today's healthcare expenditures are related to chronic diseases. Cancer and neurodegenerative brain disorders contribute a lion's share to these expenditures. Worldwide, there were approximately 19 million people who had cancer diagnosed in 2020. There are additional 50 million people who live with dementia and more than 10 million with parkinsonism. The financial burden of these diseases in EU is close to 2 % of the GDP with €126 billion expenditure for cancer, €105.2 billion for dementia and €13.9 billion for parkinsonism. Medical Physics Research Program (MPRP) is extremely ambitious in its efforts to address major socio-economic challenges in healthcare in Slovenia, EU and worldwide, focusing in each of the three MPRP research pillars on: (1) Early and more accurate diagnosis of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and inflammatory diseases by developing improved imaging technologies and novel Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers (within MPRP-Imaging). (2) Personalized medicine accounting for biological heterogeneity by developing innovative treatment strategies spanning from immunotherapies, theranostics and image-guided particle interventions (within MPRP-Therapy). (3) Developing disease models to allow a better understanding of the fundamental causes of diseases and response to treatment, including novel approaches to big data analytics (within MPRP-Modeling). MPRP provides the main interdisciplinary platform for translation of fundamental physics discoveries into clinical practice. The MPRP research team includes members from the major Slovenian university (University of Ljubljana), the major research institute (Jožef Stefan Institute), the main tertiary hospital (University Medical Centre Ljubljana) and the comprehensive cancer center (Institute of Oncology). The broad socio-economic relevance of the MPRP research is directly underlined by one of the EU "Horizons 2020" priorities: "Clinical trial(s) supporting proof of concept in humans to assess the potential clinical efficacy of the novel therapeutic concept(s) and/or optimization of available therapies." MPRP provides the main organized effort for translation of the cutting edge medical technologies from academia to commercialization. The MPRP has an extensive track record of both successful academic-industrial partnerships, as well as commercialization of innovative technologies. Part of our success is driven by direct integration of industrial research within MPRP. We have formed a close partnership with a number of Slovenian and international companies, which help translating our research findings into commercial products. MPRP provides the main research environment for supporting education of Medical Physics and development of the Medical Physics profession in Slovenia. The Medical Physics program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at the University of Ljubljana (only Medical Physics program in Slovenia) is highly popular by physics students and is almost exclusively supported by the MPRP members. The seamless integration of medical researchers and practicing physicians in the MPRP emphasize the practical relevance of the Medical Physics program and underline critical aspects of interdisciplinary research. Similarly, the MPRP provides a perfect ground for training of physicians in physical sciences, as many MPRP members are involved in teaching at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ljubljana. MPRP provides the main public forum for educating general public about advanced medical physics science through outreach efforts. MPRP is extensively engaged in a range of outreach efforts, participating in some of the main Slovenian public forums for promoting science. We are organizing a number of dedicated outreach events, such as a unique national student competition in development of novel data analytics methods in medicine. These events help attracting the brightest students into the field of medical physics, promoting medical physics as an attractive career option, and serve as the forum for broader education of general public about scientific and technological advances in medical physics.