Biomedical MR Imaging & Spectroscopy Facility
Services
- Elucidation of pathophysiology, recovery mechanisms and treatment effects in preclinical disease models with MRI and MRS;
- Validation and improvement of the diagnostic potential of clinical MR tools in experimental in vivo models;
- Development and optimisation of MR acquisition and analysis techniques for biomedical application.
The inherent characteristics of MR allow us to perform non-invasive, three-dimensional and multiparametric biomedical research, in which we can assess tissue status (structural MRI, diffusion tensor imaging), hemodynamics (perfusion MRI), functional activation (functional MRI, including resting-state fMRI and pharmacological MRI) and metabolism (MRS). When combined with contrast agents, MRI allows the detection of cells and molecular entities (cellular and molecular MRI). These MR tools are combined with other methodologies to correlate MR results with behavioral, electro -physiological and histological measures.
Equipment
Our laboratory is equipped with two state-of-the-art animal MR systems at 4.7 T (40-cm horizontal bore) and 9.4 T (20-cm horizontal bore). We have a HD CCD camera for in vivo optical imaging and equipment for transcranial magnetic stimulation in (small) animals. Our facility is accessible to external users and staff is available for (assistance with) MR data acquisition and analysis, and biotechnical support.
Contact
Rick Dijkhuijzen
Biomedical MR Imaging & Spectroscopy
Building Nieuw Gildestein
Yalelaan 2
3584 CM Utrecht
Phone: +31 30 253 5569
Email: r.m.dijkhuizen@umcutrecht.nl
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