New ITN awarded to train the next generation of medical accelerator experts

Published on 30 October 2015

Building on the success of the oPAC, LA³NET, and DITANET projects, a new 4M€ Marie Curie Initial Training Network has been granted to a consortium led by University of Liverpool, to train the next generation of medical accelerator experts.

The new network coordinated by Prof. Carsten P. Welsch from the Cockcroft Institute / University of Liverpool, is called Optimization of Medical Accelerators - OMA and it comprises a total of 24 universities, research facilities and private companies from across Europe. It will train 15 early stage researchers to carry out research in the development particle beam therapy for treating cancer, including treatment facility design, numerical simulations for the development of advanced therapies and novel imaging techniques.

Although significant progress has been made in the use of particle beams for cancer treatment, extensive research is still needed to maximize healthcare benefits. Prof. Welsch said: “The field of particle therapy has steadily developed over the last six decades, first in physics laboratories, and starting in the late 90’s in dedicated clinical installations.”

“By March 2013 about 110,000 people had received treatment with particle beams, the vast majority having been treated with protons and around 15,000 patients with heavier ions such as helium, carbon, neon, and argon.”

“OMA will push the limits in treatment facility design, imaging techniques and treatment optimization through advanced numerical studies.

"A network of European universities, research centers, clinical facilities and industry partners with outstanding expertise in this area will jointly develop advanced schemes to assure the best possible cancer care for patients.”

Professor Welsch added: “I am absolutely delighted that this collaboration has been funded. In close collaboration with our project partners we will provide a broad and interdisciplinary training program to our Fellows to develop them into outstanding researchers.

"We will also organize many events for the wider research community to stimulate knowledge exchange and generate a lasting impact.”

The project is currently recruiting for its Fellowship positions that will be based at institutions across Europe. Researchers from around the world are invited to submit their application by 28^th  February 2016.  Further information on the vacancies available through the project can be found at here

To find out more about OMA, visit: www.oma-project.eu.