IMED

The IMED (IMaging EDucation) project develops modular education in molecular imaging for post-HBO and post-Master’s professionals in hospitals, pharmacies, and the pharmaceutical industry. The project addresses the growing need for structured training in this field and has been funded through PharmaNL’s Human Capital Growth program with support from ZonMw. The project officially started on January 31, 2026, and will run for four years.

The project is led by Derk Jan de Groot (UMCG) in collaboration with Hanze University, the LIFE Cooperative, and a consortium of northern Dutch life sciences companies. The training program consists of four modules, which can be taken individually or in combination. Modules cover the production of radioactive and fluorescent tracers, preclinical and clinical study execution, image analysis using AI, and relevant laws and regulations.

“Hospitals have long conducted research with radioactive and fluorescent tracers, but there was no modular education covering the entire spectrum. With IMED, we fill that gap,” says De Groot.

Each module combines preparatory learning materials, including short videos, with two on-site days at UMCG, Hanze, or partner companies. The modular design provides flexibility, allowing participants to select modules most relevant to their daily work.

After the funding period, the program is intended to be fully self-sustaining. By creating a modular, practice-oriented training program, IMED contributes to lifelong learning and strengthens the pharmaceutical value chain in Northern Netherlands and beyond.

Objective

To develop and sustainably embed modular, flexible education in molecular imaging, enabling Dutch professionals to continuously update their knowledge and skills and apply them directly in practice.

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