Pre-Clinical MRI Group
The Robinson laboratory is a multidisciplinary group focussing on the application of both established and innovative, quantitative multiparametric MRI techniques and image analysis to identify case-specific imaging biomarkers in subcutaneous, orthotopic, transgenic and patient-derived xenograft models of cancer in vivo. We have developed and continue to apply digital pathology techniques to assess whether spatial heterogeneity visualised in multiparametric MRI data is linked to regional variations in tumour phenotypic aberrations and microenvironmental components in MRI-aligned histology. This MRI/pathology pipeline provides confidence in the utility of MRI biomarkers to temporally characterise i) the distinct evolving microenvironment within a particular cancer type, and ii) response/resistance to treatment. Exploiting our combined expertise, we have been responsible for the thorough pre-clinical evaluation of numerous MRI methods/biomarkers that have been successfully translated and proved informative when translated into aligned clinical imaging investigations of cancer patients, and demonstrated how pre-clinical imaging can accelerate the development of promising new treatments, as well as inform on drug safety/off-target effects.
Located in the Centre for Cancer Imaging, the Robinson laboratory is a multidisciplinary group focussing on the application of both established and innovative, quantitative functional MRI techniques to identify case-specific imaging biomarkers in subcutaneous, orthotopic, transgenic and patient-derived xenograft models of cancer in vivo, thereby establishing their utility to correctly inform on i) the pathology and processes relevant to a particular cancer type, and ii) response/resistance to treatment against these processes.
Exploiting our combined expertise, we have been responsible for the pre-clinical evaluation of numerous functional MRI methods/biomarkers that have been successfully translated and proved informative when translated into aligned clinical imaging investigations of cancer patients. We have also demonstrated how pre-clinical imaging can accelerate the development of promising new treatments, or force early closure of a project which ultimately may not deliver a useful/safe drug.
Professor Simon Robinson
Group Leader:
Pre-Clinical MRI
Professor Simon Robinson is applying quantitative functional MRI techniques to evaluate imaging biomarkers of tumour pathophysiology and treatment response in pre-clinical models of cancer.
Researchers in this group
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Email: [email protected]
My research primarily focuses on the development and application of multiparametric MRI for the assessment of pre-clinical models of paediatric-type diffuse high grade glioma (PDHGG), with the aim of improving tumour detection/delineation and to evaluate the efficacy of urgently needed novel therapeutics for the treatment of PDHGG in vivo. I work closely with Chris Jones’s Glioma group.
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Email: [email protected]
Location: Sutton
I am a postdoctoral training fellow working on understanding the changes in breast and pancreatic tumours viscoelastic properties caused by tumour growth, and response to radio- and immunotherapy. The changes in stiffness are measured using an MRI technique called MR elastography.
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Email: [email protected]
I provide histopathological support and analysis for MRI biomarker validation.
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Email: [email protected]
Location: Sutton
I am a PhD student researching soft tissue sarcoma, a rare group of cancers originating in the soft tissues such as muscles, fat, blood vessels etc. My work focuses on using multiparametric MRI techniques to characterise these tumours and evaluate their response to both radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Professor Simon Robinson's group have written 207 publications
Most recent new publication 7/2025
See all their publications