Acquisition of a 9.4T Small Animal MRI/MRS System

描述（由申请人提供）： 范德比尔特大学的这一申请旨在获得部分资金，用于购买最先进的高场（9.4T）磁共振成像/光谱系统，该系统将用于扩展和改进涉及小动物的各种研究项目。该系统对于目前NIH资助的几个项目至关重要，包括肿瘤生物学，神经功能和发育，糖尿病，酒精中毒和转基因小鼠的研究。这对于涉及与MRI方法在医学中的进一步开发和应用相关的基础研究的几个项目也至关重要。拟议的设施将提供一个主要的新能力，在体内成像和光谱，从而将允许目前NIH资助的研究人员进行研究，这是必不可少的项目，但目前无法进行没有这种仪器。先前的几项研究是使用现有的过时的4.7T系统进行的，该系统具有许多技术限制，无法提供这些项目所需的信息质量。新的更高场仪器将获得具有固有的更高信噪比、更高空间和光谱分辨率的图像和光谱，以及对某些对比机制更敏感的图像。拟议的系统将有一个更好的匀场和梯度系统和相关的硬件，并将围绕一个现代控制台和光谱仪能够更广泛的现代实验。这些新的能力将包括快速和3D成像，这对各种实验，改进的扩散加权成像和宽带多核（H-1，P-31和C-13）在体内MR波谱代谢研究是重要的。该系统将成为一个致力于研究成像的新中心的一个组成部分，并将得到一个由物理学家、工程师和计算机科学家组成的大型经验丰富的团队的支持，沿着一个训练有素的合格支持人员团队，包括电子工程师和动物技术专家。这些技术专家将负责协助用户进行实验设计、数据采集和数据分析。拟议的仪器将是一个多用户设施，由一名主任和一名核心工作人员监督，通过一个运营委员会开发和管理，并由一个咨询委员会监督，该委员会负责确保适当访问NIH资助的研究人员。拟议的仪器的收购将显着增加使用小动物MRI和MRS的调查的数量和质量，反过来将有助于范德比尔特大学履行其承诺，加强在基础癌症生物学和癌症治疗，神经科学，结构生物学和遗传学领域的临床研究。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application from Vanderbilt University seeks partial funding for the acquisition of a state-of-the-art, high field (9.4T) Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Spectroscopy system that will be used to extend and improve various research programs involving small animals. This system is essential for several current NIH-funded projects including studies of tumor biology, neural function and development, diabetes, alcoholism and transgenic mice. It is also essential for several projects that involve fundamental studies related to the further development and application of MRI methods in medicine. The proposed facility will provide a major new capability for in vivo imaging and spectroscopy and thereby will permit current NIH-funded investigators to undertake studies which are essential for their projects but which are currently unable to be performed without this instrument. Several previous studies have been obtained using an existing and antiquated 4.7T system that has numerous technical limitations and which is not able to provide the quality of information needed for these projects. The new, higher field instrument will acquire images and spectra that have inherently higher signal to noise ratios, greater spatial and spectral resolution, and images, which are more sensitive to some contrast mechanisms. The proposed system will have a much better shim and gradient system and associated hardware, and will be based around a modern console and spectrometer capable of a wider array of modern experiments. These new capabilities will include fast and 3D imaging that is important for a variety of experiments, improved diffusion weighted imaging, and broadband multi-nuclear (H-1, P-31 and C-13) in vivo MR spectroscopy for studies of metabolism. The system will be an integral part of a new Center dedicated to research imaging and will be supported by a large and experienced group of physicists, engineers and computer scientists, along with a well trained and qualified group of support staff, including electronic engineers and animal technologists. These technical experts will take responsibility for assisting users in experimental design, data acquisition and data analysis. The proposed instrument will be a multi-user facility, supervised by a director and a core staff, developed and managed via an operating committee, and with oversight by an advisory committee charged with the responsibility of assuring appropriate access to NIH funded investigators. The acquisition of the proposed instrument will significantly increase the number and quality of investigations using small animal MRI and MRS and in turn will help Vanderbilt University meet its commitment to enhancing bench-to-bedside research in the areas of basic cancer biology and cancer therapy, neuroscience, structural biology and genetics.