UQ Professor H. Peter Soyer has been awarded $10 million by the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) to establish the ACRF Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis at the Translational Research Institute Australia.

3D digital avatars to identify and track skin lesions

Combining cutting-edge 3D imaging technology with a telemedicine network, this centre will utilise a whole-body imaging system to rapidly create a patient’s ‘digital avatar’ in milliseconds. This technology will significantly improve lesion identification and tracking, while greatly reducing appointment times and healthcare costs.

“Early detection is the key to saving lives and to achieving our vision of a world without melanoma”. Professor Soyer said.

Roll out to capital and regional areas

Australian Cancer Research Foundation CEO Professor Ian Brown said this grant will enable 15 3D whole body imaging machines to capital and regional centres across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria (with the potential to expand the network Australia-wide). 

“Linked with innovative telemedicine capabilities, this bold project will enhance the capacity to improve the early detection of melanoma and save lives.” Professor Brown said. 

The centre is a collaboration between The University of Queensland, the University of Sydney, Monash University, and the Translational Research Institute Australia, together with state-based research and health system partners. 

Image captions: Top left - Professor H. Peter Soyer with the Vectra WB 360 whole body imaging system at the TRI Clinical Research Facility, in the Princess Alexandra Hospital; Top right - A patient is scanned in the Vectra WB 360 whole body imaging system; Bottom - patient scan results from the Vectra WB 360 whole body imaging system.

More project information about this project and the 3D avatar technology.