Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Sequences available 

• T1-, T2 and proton density-weighted Turbo-Spin Echo 
• 2D and 3D Gradient Echo 
• Spin Echo  
• Fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) 
• Ultra-Short Echo Time Imaging (UTE) with TE of 80-100 microseconds 
• T1, T2 and T2* mapping sequences  
• Fast dynamic imaging (TRICKS) 
• Dixon/IDEAL fat fraction mapping 

Radiofrequency probes /coils  

¹H / Proton: 

• 150 mm diameter quadrature send- and receive volume coil 
• 72 mm diameter quadrature send- and receive volume coil 
• 4-channel active decoupled receive rat brain coil 
• 2-channel active decoupled receive mouse brain coil 
• 2 cm diameter active decoupled loop coil for various dedicated applications 

X-nuclei:  

• 2 cm diameter send and receive loop coils ranging from 26 MHz - 310 MHz (2H, 13C, 23Na, 31P, 19F) 

• Perfect for anatomical imaging providing detailed 3D images of internal structures and revealing subtle abnormalities that cannot be identified with other imaging techniques (like radiographs or CT scans) 
• Non-invasive technique, does not use ionizing radiation to acquire images 
• Can be repeated and enables longitudinal studies   
• Excellent soft-tissue contrast (resolution ~100 µm)  
• For some diseases, MRI is the only imaging technique that can permit an accurate diagnosis  
• Capable of imaging live mice, rats, and other small animals (up to the size of a cat) 
• Can be used to quantitate imaging like e.g., fat-fraction mapping or tissue perfusion 
• Enables to depict tissue oedema or necrotic areas  
• Method of choice for imaging small lesions  
• Easy clinical translation 

• The scan time for MRI can be longer compared to other modalities 
• Metals or implants can introduce artifacts in the images 
• Lack of bone contrast  

• Trudel, G. et al. (2021); doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/qims-20-1343 
• McDonald, M.W. et al. (2021); doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/15459683211005019 
• Koudrina, A. et al (2021) ; doi : https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsami.0c16666 
• Dwyer, Z. et al (2021) ; doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.11.013 
• Huang, T. (2019); doi: https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.ra119.007941