麻豆传媒

Role

I am Director of the Centre for In Vivo Imaging, which represents 麻豆传媒's in vivo imaging portfolio.

My interdisciplianry research team is focused on the development of innovative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy methods to characterise the structure, function and physiology of human tissues and organs through non-invasive and repeatable scans. Our projects span the intersection of magnetic resonance physics, bioscience and clinical research, and aim to develop reliable and valuable quantitative measurements for implementation in clinical research and development into robust tools used in clinical practice.

I lead projects on the development and application of new lung ventilation imaging methods that can quantify lung function and detect changes due to lung disease and the impacts of therapies. We have expertise in developing multinuclear MRI for multisite clinical research studies. We have developed novel ¹⁹F-, ¹³C-, ²³Na- and ⁷Li-MRI methodologies that span preclinical, first in man and patient studies. Our research is driven by clinical need and relies on interdisciplinary team science to link technological expertise with key biological questions relevant to human health and the diagnosis and treatment of disease processes.

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) - University of Nottingham - 1995
• PhD - University of Cambridge - 1999

Positions Held

• 2020 - present: Professor of Magnetic Resonance Physics, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, 麻豆传媒
• 2009 - 2020: Reader in Magnetic Resonance Physics, Institute of Cellular Medicine, 麻豆传媒
• 2006 - 2009: Lecturer in Magnetic Resonance Physics, Institute of Cellular Medicine, 麻豆传媒
• 2000 - 2006: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida

Google Scholar:

Advanced MRI methodologies for better measurement of structure, function and metabolism in health disease

We develop non-invasive and radiation-free methods to assess the structure, function and metabolic processes in human health and disease. We use a wide range of conventional MRI scan methods to make quantitative measurements of anatomy, microstructure and tissue physiology, and have expertise in developing multinuclear MR methods for clinical research that can bring novel measurements to the study of disease processes and the effects of therapies.

Imaging lung ventilation properties by 19F-MRI of inhaled tracer gases

We are developing new methods to image lung ventilation properties, using ¹⁹F-MRI of MR-visible gases that can safely be inhaled. Our methods provide quantitative measures of regional lung function, and have potential to scale to use in clinical practice. The lung function measurement in current clinical use have limited or no information on how lung function varies across the lungs, and so early detection of disease processes or progression of disease can be difficult to detect. By producing 3D images of ventilation properties over the entire lung we can detect subtle, regional changes that are a precursor to more serious lung disease, or make earlier detection of improvements in lung function in response to therapy.

Our studies of patients with asthma and COPD have demonstrated the potential and capabilities of our methods, and current studies are testing the ability to make early and accurate detection of tissue rejection processes in lung transplant recipients, and adapt lung cancer radiotherapy planning to minimise side-effects on remaining lung after radiotherapy treatment.

our interdisciplinary research team brings together physicists, bioscientists, clinical scientists and clinicians to demonstrate the clinical utilities of these new lung imaging methods, and we work with healthcare and industrial partners to advance our technologies into use in routine clinical practice.

Improving understanding of lithium treatments for bipolar disorder

We are developing advanced scan methods to image the distribution of lithium in patients who take lithium carbonate as treatment for bipolar disorder. Our 7Li-MRI scans allow MR imaging of this pharmaceutical agent in its target organ, allowing direct but non-invasive measurement of how the concentration of lithium varies across the brain and over time. We have established a network of European sites with ⁷Li-MRI scan capabilities within the R-LiNK initiative, which aims to improve outcomes for patients with bipolar disorders and improve understanding of which factors determine whether a patient will respond well to lithium treatment.

Characterising the altered physiological processes of rare diseases

We design and apply bespoke measurements of tissue metabolic processes to better understand the pathophysiology of rare diseases, combining patient cohorts from rare disease registries with MRI scan methods tailored to functional changes involved in disease progression. We have performed natural history studies to characterise the progression of a range of muscular dystrophies, designed novel ²³Na-MRI scan methods to characterise changes in muscle function in muscular dystrophy, and employed ³¹P- and ¹³C-MR scans to quantify change in tissue energetics and energy storage in mitochondrial and metabolic disease. These studies require an interplay of custom MR scanner hardware, advanced MR scan acquisition methods, strong engagement with rare disease patient cohorts, custom data analyses, and effective interdisciplinary teamwork to link the development and application of advanced imaging biomarkers with key clinical needs in the development of better understanding and treatment of rare diseases.

PhD supervision

My research team includes research students enrolled in the Faculty of Medical Science PhD programme

Masters-level teaching

I contribute to the NHS Modernising Scientific Careers Clinical Sciences MSc programmes :

• Module lead for "MPY8011: Imaging with non-ionising radiation 1" - Medical Physics MSc programme
• Module lead for "MPY8012: Imaging with non-ionising radiation 2" - Medical Physics MSc programme
• Lecturer for "MPY8001: Introduction to Medical Physics" - Medical Physics MSc programme
• Lecturer for "MPY8011: Imaging with non-ionising radiation 1" - Medical Physics MSc programme
• Lecturer for "MPY8012: Imaging with non-ionising radiation 2" - Medical Physics MSc programme
• Lecturer for "CRV8011: Respiratory and Sleep Science 1" - Respiratory and Sleep Science MSc programme

Undergraduate research teaching

I host research projects placements for 麻豆传媒 Biomedical Sciences BSc students. Students join my team at the 麻豆传媒 Magnetic Resonance Centre for a 10 week full time MRI research project, with the aim of achieving valuable advancement in translational MR research with co-authorship in resultant publications.

Tutor to undergraduate students

I am personal tutor for the Biomedical Sciences BSc programme, providing pastoral support to undergraduate students.

• Articles

  • Neal M, Bolano-Diaz C, Richardson M, Michell-Sodhi J, Muni-Lofra R, James M, Hollingsworth K, Hilsden H, Wilson I, Blamire A, Straub V, Thelwall P, Diaz-Manera J. . Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle 2025, 16(1), e13709.
  • Thelwall PE, Cousins DA. . Psychoradiology 2025, 5, kkaf017.
  • Neal MA, Bos S, Holland CW, Hollingsworth KG, Meachery G, Nair A, Lordan JL, Fisher AJ, Thelwall PE. . JHLT Open 2025, 7, 100167.
  • Fuchs CJ, Veeraiah P, Hermans WJH, Brauwers B, Voncken R, Brouwers K, Petrick HL, Hendriks FK, Bels JLM, van den Hurk J, Weber J, Senden JM, Smith FE, Thelwall PE, Prompers JJ, van Loon LJC. . Journal of Physiology 2025, epub ahead of print.
  • Little B, Flowers C, Blamire AM, Thelwall PE, Taylor JP, Gallagher P, Cousins DA, Wang Y. . Bipolar Disorders 2024, 26(6), 604-616.
  • Neal MA, Strawbridge R, Wing VC, Cousins DA, Thelwall PE. . Journal of Affective Disorders 2024, 360, 139-145.
  • Pippard BJ, Neal MA, Holland CW, Maunder AM, Forrest I, Lawson RA, Fisher HF, Matthews JNS, Wild JM, Simpson AJ, Thelwall PE. . Radiology 2024, 313(3).
  • Allison JR, Chary K, Ottley C, Vuong QC, German MJ, Durham J, Thelwall P. . Journal of Dentistry 2022, 127, 104322.
  • Cooke F, Neal M, Wood MJ, de Vries IJM, Anderson AE, Diboll J, Pratt AG, Stanway J, Nicorescu I, Moyse N, Hiles D, Caulfield D, Dickinson AM, Blamire AM, Thelwall P, Isaacs JD, Hilkens CM. . Frontiers in Immunology 2022, 13(2022), 988667.
  • Pippard BJ, Neal MA, Maunder AM, Hollingsworth KG, Biancardi A, Lawson RA, Fisher H, Matthews JNS, Simpson AJ, Wild JM, Thelwall PE. . Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 2021, 85(6), 3343-3352.
  • Maunder A, Chan H-F, Hughes PJC, Collier G, Norquay G, Rodgers O, Thelwall P, Robb F, Rao M, Wild JM. . Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 2021, 85(3), 1561-1570.
  • Flouri D, Lesnic D, Chrysochou C, Parikh J, Thelwall P, Sheerin N, Kalra PA, Buckley DL, Sourbron SP. . Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine 2021, 34, 805-822.
  • Ramsbottom SA, Thelwall PE, Wood KM, Clowry GJ, Devlin LA, Silbermann F, Spiewak HL, Shril S, Molinari E, Hildebrandt F, Gunay-Aygun M, Saunier S, Cordell HJ, Sayer JA, Miles CG. . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2020, 117(2), 1113-1118.
  • Neal MA, Pippard BJ, Simpson AJ, Thelwall PE. . Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 2020, 83(2), 452-461.
  • Necus J, Sinha N, Smith FE, Thelwall PE, Flowers CJ, Taylor PN, Blamire AM, Cousins DA, Wang Y. . Journal of Affective Disorders 2019, 253, 224-231.
  • Necus J, Smith FE, Thelwall PE, Flowers CJ, Sinha N, Taylor PN, Blamire AM, Wang Y, Cousins DA. . Bipolar Disorders 2019, 23(1), 41-48.
  • Scott J, Hidalgo-Mazzei D, Strawbridge R, Young A, Resche-Rigon M, Etain B, Andreassen OA, Bauer M, Bennabi D, Blamire AM, Boumezbeur F, Brambilla P, Cattane N, Chupin M, Coello K, Cointepas Y, Colom F, Cousins DA, Dubertret C, Duchesnay E, Ferro A, Garcia-Estela A, Goikolea J, Grigis A, Haffen E, Høegh MC, Jakobsen P, Kalman JL, Kessing L, Klohn-Saghatolislam F, Lagerberg TV, Landén M, Lewitzka U, Lutticke A, Mazer N, Mazzelli M, Mora C, Mullet T, Mur-Mila E, Oedegaard KJ, Oltedal L, Pålsson E, Papadopoulos Orfanos D, Papiol S, Perez-Sola V, Reif A, Ritter P, Rossi R, Schulze T, Senner F, Smith FE, Squarcina L, Steen NE, Thelwall PE, Varo C, Vieta E, Vinberg M, Wessa M, Westlye LT, Bellivier F. . International Journal of Bipolar Disorders 2019, 7, 20.
  • Neal MA, Pippard BJ, Simpson AJ, Thelwall PE. . Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 2019, 82(4), 1301-1311.
  • Neal MA, Pippard BJ, Hollingsworth KG, Maunder A, Dutta P, Simpson AJ, Blamire AM, Wild JM, Thelwall PE. . Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 2019, 82(4), 1301-1311.
  • Smith FE, Thelwall PE, Necus J, Flowers CJ, Blamire AM, Cousins DA. . Molecular Psychiatry 2018, 23(11), 2184-2191.
  • Fuchs C, Gonzalez J, Beelen M, Cermak N, Smith F, Thelwall PE, Taylor R, Trenell M, Stevenson E, van Loon L. . Journal of Applied Physiology 2016, 120(11), 1328-1334.
  • Gonzalez JT, Fuchs CJ, Smith FE, Thelwall PE, Taylor R, Stevenson EJ, Trenell MI, Cermak NM, van Loon LJC. . American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology and Metabolism 2015, 309(12), E1032-E1039.
  • Macauley M, Hollingsworth KG, Smith FE, Thelwall PE, Al-Mrabeh A, Schweizer A, Foley JE, Taylor R. . Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2015, 100(4), 1578-1585.
  • Macauley M, Smith FE, Thelwall PE, Hollingsworth KG, Taylor R. . Clinical Science 2015, 128(10), 707-713.
  • Macauley M, Percival K, Thelwall PE, Hollingsworth KG, Taylor R. . PLOS One 2015, 10(5), e0126825.
  • Skamarauskas JT, Oakley F, Smith FE, Bawn C, Dunn M, Vidler DS, Clemence M, Blain PG, Taylor R, Gamcsik MP, Thelwall PE. . Hepatology 2014, 59(6), 2321-2330.
  • Hynes AM, Giles RH, Srivastava S, Eley L, Whitehead J, Danilenko M, Raman S, Slaats GG, Colville JG, Ajzenberg H, Kroes HY, Thelwall PE, Simmons NL, Miles CG, Sayer JA. . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2014, 111(27), 9893-9898.
  • Hodson K, Man CD, Smith FE, Thelwall PE, Cobelli C, Robson SC, Taylor R. . HORMONE AND METABOLIC RESEARCH 2013, 45(8), 567-571.
  • Detko E, O'Hara JP, Thelwall PE, Smith FE, Jakovljevic DG, King RFGJ, Trenell MI. . British Journal of Nutrition 2013, 110(5), 848-855.
  • Detko E, OHara JP, Thelwall PE, Smith FE, Jakovljevic DG, King RF, Trenell MI. . British Journal of Nutrition 2013, 110(5), 848-855.
  • Thelwall PE, Smith FE, Leavitt MC, Canty D, Hu W, Hollingsworth KG, Thoma C, Trenell MI, Taylor R, Rutkowski JV, Blamire AM, Quinn AG. . Journal of Hepatology 2013, 59(3), 543-549.
  • Thelwall PE, Simpson NE, Rabbani ZN, Clark MD, Pourdeyhimi R, Macdonald JM, Blackband SJ, Gamcsik MP. . NMR in Biomedicine 2012, 25(2), 271-278.
  • Smith FE, Cousins DA, Thelwall P, Ferrier IN, Blamire AM. . Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 2011, 66(4), 945-949.
  • Gamcsik M, Clark MD, Ludeman SM, Springer JB, D'Alessandro MA, Simpson NE, Pourdeyhimi R, Johnson CB, Teeter SD, Blackband SJ, Thelwall PE. . Neurochemical Research 2011, 36(3), 443-451.
  • Thelwall PE, Taylor R, Marshall SM. . Diabetologia 2011, 54(9), 2421-2429.
  • Lim EL, Hollingsworth KG, Smith F, Thelwall P, Taylor R. . Clinical Science 2011, 121(4), 169-177.
  • Lim EL, Hollingsworth KG, Smith FE, Thelwall PE, Taylor R. . American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism 2011, 301(6), E1155.
  • Lim EL, Hollingsworth KG, Thelwall PE, Taylor R. . NMR in Biomedicine 2010, 23(8), 952-957.
  • Shepherd TM, Flint JJ, Thelwall PE, Stanisz GJ, Mareci TH, Yachnis AT, Blackband SJ. . NeuroImage 2009, 44(3), 820-826.
  • Hollingsworth KG, Jones DE, Aribisala BS, Thelwall PE, Taylor R, Newton JL, Blamire AM. . Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging 2009, 29(4), 780-784.
  • Stevenson EJ, Thelwall PE, Thomas K, Smith F, Brand-Miller JC, Trenell MI. . American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism 2009, 296(5), E1140-1147.
  • Shepherd TM, Thelwall PE, Stanisz GJ, Blackband SJ. . Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 2009, 62(1), 26-34.
  • Garrood P, Hollingsworth K, Thelwall P, Birchall D, Eagle M, Bushby K, Straub V. . Neuromuscular Disorders 2007, 17(9-10), 816-817.
  • Thelwall PE. . Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 2007, 57(6), 1168-1172.
  • Ozarslan E, Basser PJ, Shepherd TM, Thelwall PE, Vemuri BC, Blackband SJ. . Journal of Magnetic Resonance 2006, 183(2), 315-323.
  • Thelwall PE, Shepherd TM, Stanisz GJ, Blackband SJ. . Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 2006, 56(2), 282-289.
  • Thelwall PE, Yemin AY, Gillian TL, Simpson NE, Kasibhatla MS, Rabbani ZN, MacDonald JM, Blackband SJ, Gamcsik MP. . Cancer Research 2005, 65(22), 10149-10153.
  • Shepherd TM, Wirth ED, Thelwall PE, Chen HX, Roper SN, Blackband SJ. . Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 2003, 49(5), 856-863.
  • Shepherd TM, Thelwall PE, Blackband SJ, Pike BR, Hayes RL, Wirth ED III. . Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism 2003, 23(12), 1461-1470.
  • Thelwall PE, Grant SC, Stanisz GJ, Blackband SJ. . Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 2002, 48(4), 649-657.
  • Beck B, Plant DH, Grant SC, Thelwall PE, Silver X, Mareci TH, Benveniste H, Smith M, Collins C, Crozier S, Blackband SJ. . Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine 2001, 13(3), 152-157.
  • Thelwall PE, Neves AA, Brindle KM. . Biotechnology and Bioengineering 2001, 75(6), 682-690.
  • Thelwall PE, Brindle KM. . Cytotechnology 1999, 30(1/3), 121-132.
  • Beauregard DA, Thelwall PE, Chaplin DJ, Hill SA, Adams GE, Brindle KM. . British Journal of Cancer 1998, 77(11), 1761-7.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstracts)

  • Thelwall P, Parikh J, Pippard B, Wore C, Janiczek R, Sourbron S, Sheerin N. . In: International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Annual Meeting & Exhibition. 2021, Virtual.
  • Neal M, Pippard B, Hollingsworth K, Simpson AJ, Thelwall P. . In: International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Annual Meeting & Exhibition. 2021, Virtual.
  • Neal M, Pippard B, Forrest I, Lawson R, Fisher HF, Matthews JNS, Hollingsworth K, Simpson AJ, Wild J, Thelwall P. . In: International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Annual Meeting & Exhibition. 2021, Virtual.