-to integrate the multidisciplinary resources of National Taiwan University to fundamentally change how biological  research is performed from the molecular point of view with cells in their intact environment in living subjects,

-to develop personalized ways to diagnose diseases and monitor therapies in patients with higher sensitivity and  specificity,

-to reduce mortality, to improve life quality, to reduce unnecessary diagnoses and therapies.

The Biomedical Molecular Imaging Core Laboratory , established in 2003, is one of the core labs in the Genomic Research Center supported by the first phase of the MOE’s World-class University Initiative (2006-2010).

The goals of the funded Center for Biomedical Molecular Imaging programs are to integrate the multidisciplinary resources of National Taiwan University to fundamentally change how biological research is performed from the molecular point of view with cells in their intact environment in living subjects, to develop personalized ways to diagnose diseases and monitor therapies in patients with higher sensitivity and specificity, to reduce mortality and to improve life quality, and to reduce unnecessary diagnoses and therapies. Research in this area will leverage both the nations bio-technology research and the biomedical imaging industry, providing a training ground for experts in medical imaging hardware utilization. To meet the challenge of the second phase of the MOE’s World-class University Initiative (2011-2015), according to the direction of President Si-Chen Lee, NTU has decided to set up a Molecular Imaging Center, not only to further promote molecular imaging for early diagnosis, but also to expand its scale so that more interdisciplinary resources can be integrated to consolidate its research power and create real impact. Molecular Imaging Center was founded on June 28th 2011, based on No.2675 Executive Council of NTU. 

It aims to integrate the biomedical imaging relevant research and teaching, to promote the intercollegiate and interdisciplinary key research and relevant core laboratories, to recruit domestic and foreign outstanding scholars, and to promote the translational medicine and industrial applications related to biomedical molecular imaging. The center consists of Administration Division, Academic Affairs Division, Clinical Management Division, International Industrial Affairs Division, as well as eight core laboratories: Positron Emission Tomography Core, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Core, Ultrasound Imaging Core, Optical Imaging Core, Infrared Imaging Core, Electron Microscope Imaging Core, Molecular Probes Development Core and Digital Library Core. 

The aims of the NTU Molecular Imaging Center include but not limited to research in basic molecular medicine, development of new molecular imaging techniques, translational medicine, and pre-clinical to advanced clinical molecular imaging. For imaging modality, we will devote to the development of positron emission tomography, bio-scanning transmission electron microscopy, high-speed high-resolution MRI, three-wavelength infrared imaging system for breast cancer diagnosis, automatic 3D ultrasound for breast cancer screening, portable ultrasound imaging system, advanced photoacoustic imaging technology, nanoultrasonic imaging technology, bio-near-field microscopy, higher-harmonic generation microscopy, far-field super-resolution nanoscopy, confocal reflection fiber-endoscopy, two-photon fluorescence lifetime microscopy, and THz fiber endoscopy. This center will not only integrate the resources and provide research services to the researchers in the University but also will hold research seminars, training courses and conferences regularly in order for the members to communicate with each other and spread the up-to-date information about the molecular imaging technology throughout the research community.

Additionally, we will promote the collaboration among the industry, academic and medical institutes effectively and provide the services and stimulate the set up and transformation of basic research into clinical, practical application. In the future, the strategy of our center development is to integrate the research resources of the University and make it a common platform which is easily accessible to all researchers in the University community. Eventually, this will combine the members from research, teaching and clinics to form a team to translate the basic research to clinical medical application.