Bruker AV-NEO Console for 7T MRI

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT This application requests partial funding for a new magnetic resonance (MR) imaging/spectrometer console (Bruker AV NEO), to replace and upgrade our current console on the 7T/30 cm bore MR system (purchased 20 years ago with a Shared Instrumentation Grant). It has been the “workhorse” for the Small Animal MR Imaging Core (SAMRIC), but is now technologically obsolete and the vendor, recognizing its obsolescence, no longer supports it, resulting in repairs becoming increasingly difficult due to lack of parts. Purchasing a new console will result in: better quality, higher spatial resolution, faster imaging (less risk to valuable anesthetized mice), the capability of doing many new experiments (i.e., new MR sequences, that are not feasible on the old spectrometer), and increased confidence by the user group that it is feasible to plan and perform longitudinal experiments since service and parts will be available from the vendor for the new console. Currently, most of our users prefer to use the 9.4T MR system with a state-of-the art console, which is our goal for the 7T system. The 7T system however, is critical for Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) scientists because it is a combined MR-PET instrument, providing MSK’s only preclinical simultaneous dual modal MR and PET imaging capability which cannot be done on the 9.4T system because of a smaller bore size. The large bore size of the 7T also allows us to image multiple mice (4) simultaneously while also doing PET studies. This unique capability is relied upon by 8 major users and 2 minor users for MR-PET studies (10 grants), and 3 major users (supported by 7 grants) for simultaneous multiple mouse imaging. The metabolism group (2 users, 3 grants) and two neuro imaging groups (2 users, 3 grants) also rely on the 7T because of the plethora of data accumulated upon which future studies are predicated, so switching to the 9.4T is not feasible. The system is also somewhat unique in that we allow investigators from outside MSK to use our system, using appropriate precautions to avoid spreading infections to different animal colonies. Investigators from at least 5 institutions in Manhattan have taken advantage of this and used the 7T/30 cm system. At MSK, almost all research focuses on cancer biology – how to prevent, detect, understand, and treat cancer, and all the studies (except 1) supporting this application, are cancer focused. Our long term objectives are to support these numerous investigators (26 grants, 16 investigators), and provide them state of the art spatial and metabolic imaging to support their investigations of novel drugs and treatments to treat highly malignant cancers and enhance outcome and cancer care. Specifically, we support a wide range of experiments with novel anti- cancer therapeutics focusing on enhancing their current capabilities and testing novel approaches to cancer care. All the research projects this MR system supports are translational with potential near future applications to clinical use. This is especially true for its dual modal MR-PET in vivo imaging modality where newly developed tracers and imaging methods can be readily applied in our clinics.