Postdoctoral Training in Biomedical MRI and MRS

描述(由申请人提供)：本申请旨在为范德比尔特大学的核磁共振成像(MRI)和光谱学(MRS)博士后综合培训项目提供支持，该项目将由经验丰富的专家团队和研究人员提供。磁共振方法被公认为是最强大和最广泛的生物医学成像技术之一，但技术的重大进步及其影响的增加仍在继续。磁共振方法不仅是诊断成像中最重要的一种方式，而且还提供了对生物过程和结构的关键见解，以解决生物医学研究中的基本问题。许多医疗中心都有用于研究的先进磁共振系统，随着具有更强磁场的系统变得更加广泛，它们的使用将不可避免地进一步进步。然而，缺乏并迫切需要训练有素的科学家，他们能够挖掘磁共振技术的潜力，他们意识到磁共振方法的使用和局限性，以及如何实施、改进MRI/MRS，并将其与从其他方式获得的信息相结合。我们建议为8名杰出的博士后科学家(两年制项目各4名)设计一个全面的培训计划，这些科学家以前通常在生物医学核磁共振方面几乎没有重要经验，而来自物理、化学、生物、工程或医学的博士后实习生将在一个连贯的计划中接受与生物医学核磁共振相关的所有相关领域的全面和示范指导，其中包括18名在生物医学核磁共振/S及其应用方面经验丰富的博士后教员。这将通过一个由课程、研讨会和期刊俱乐部组成的教育计划来实现；一个由教员指导的教程和实践培训组成的实践计划；以及一个研究计划，在该计划中，受训人员将被纳入积极的研究计划。这些程序说明了磁共振方法在人类和动物中应用的大部分主要方面，包括功能和结构脑成像、癌症生物学、基本松弛现象和扩散的研究、血流和灌注、代谢成像、图像处理和分析，以及临床MRS和MRI。受训人员将有机会接触到出色的设施，包括场强为1.5、3和7T的人体磁共振系统；场强为4.7、7和9.4T的动物磁共振系统；以及其他成像方式(包括光学成像、microCT和microPET)。受训者将接受生物医学研究的伦理和方法方面的指导，以及拨款撰写和其他重要职业技能的指导。Vanderbilt的项目、人员和设施为科学家提供了接受最高水平的生物医学核磁共振高级培训的独特机会，并将有助于确保实现MRI和MRS对生物学和疾病的非凡见解。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application seeks support for a comprehensive postdoctoral training program in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) at Vanderbilt University which will be provided by an experienced and expert group of faculty and research staff. MR methods are well established as amongst the most powerful and widespread of biomedical imaging techniques yet major advancements in technology and increases in their impact continue to occur. MR methods serve not only as the single most important modality in diagnostic imaging but also provide crucial insights into biological processes and structure to address fundamental questions in biomedical research. Advanced MR systems for research are available at a large number of medical centers, and further advances in their uses will occur inevitably as systems with stronger field magnets become more widespread. There is, however, a shortage and a critical need for appropriately trained scientists capable of exploiting the potential of MR techniques, who are aware of the uses and limitations of MR methods, and of how MRI/MRS may be implemented, advanced, and integrated with information available from other modalities. We propose a comprehensive training program designed for 8 outstanding postdoctoral scientists (4 in each of a two-year program) who will usually have had little previous significant experience in biomedical MRI and MRS. Postdoctoral trainees from physics, chemistry, biology, engineering or medicine will receive thorough and exemplary instruction in all of the cognate areas relevant to biomedical NMR in a coherent program that includes 18 Ph.D faculty experienced in biomedical MRI/S and their applications. This will be accomplished through an educational program, consisting of courses, seminars, and journal clubs; a practical program, consisting of faculty-led tutorials and practical training; and a research program, in which trainees will be integrated into an active research program. These programs illustrate most major aspects of the applications of MR methods in humans and animals and include functional and structural brain imaging, cancer biology, studies of basic relaxation phenomena and diffusion, blood flow and perfusion, metabolic imaging, image processing and analysis, and clinical MRS and MRI. Trainees will have access to outstanding facilities including human MR systems with field strengths of 1.5, 3, and 7T; animal MR systems of 4.7, 7, and 9.4T; and other imaging modalities (including optical imaging, microCT, and microPET). Trainees will be mentored in the ethics and methods of biomedical research, as well as in grant writing and other important career skills. The programs, personnel, and facilities at Vanderbilt provide unique opportunities for scientists to receive advanced training in biomedical NMR of the highest caliber, and will help to ensure that the remarkable insights into biology and disease that are possible with MRI and MRS will be realized.