UTAH SMALL ANIMAL MRI RESEARCH RESOURCE: BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE

该子项目是利用由NIH/NCRR资助的共享仪器赠款提供的资源的许多研究子项目之一。子项目和研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金，因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。列出的机构是用于资助的，不一定是研究者的机构。描述（由申请人提供）：该提案要求提供资金，以获得高场强小动物磁共振成像（MRI）扫描仪，这将成为犹他州大学综合小动物MRI设施的核心组成部分。所提出的仪器是Bruker ClinScanZ B-C 70/30 USR（超屏蔽、冷藏）高分辨率成像系统。该系统的关键技术特征包括7.05特斯拉主动屏蔽磁体、30.2 cm磁通孔尺寸、内径为20.1 cm的基础梯度系统（能够达到300 mT/m）、8通道1H光谱仪电子设备、Siemens MRI控制台和体内成像配件。犹他州大学是人类疾病遗传分析的领导者，在产生和研究具有靶向基因改变的小鼠方面一直处于最前沿。MRI的无创性和无与伦比的软组织对比度使其成为这些基因工程动物解剖和生理成像的首选模式。小动物MRI成像面临与高分辨率要求相关的技术挑战（例如，SNR和空间分辨率折衷）和动物生理考虑（例如，高心率、运动）。此外，MR图像的定量解释通常需要复杂的后处理和分析（例如，3D可视化、配准）。该提案的一个创新方面是，它将利用犹他州大学正在进行的新颖和创新的MRI技术开发和图像显示/分析研究（主要由NIH资助）。拟议的核心MRI设施将利用犹他州高级成像研究中心（UCAIR）和科学计算和成像研究所（SCI）的优势。将这些技术资源整合到拟议的高场强小动物成像MRI设施的运营和组织基础设施中，将为其用户提供显著的增值效益。在犹他州大学有几个NIH资助的研究项目，目前利用有限形式的小动物MRI，还有更多NIH资助的研究人员有明确但未满足的小动物MRI需求。犹他州目前没有专用的最新小动物MRI扫描仪。因此，该仪器将对现有的NIH资助项目产生深远的影响，并在犹他州大学和其他地方启动新的研究项目。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Shared Instrumentation Grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the grant, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal requests funding to acquire a high field-strength small animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, which will form the central component of a comprehensive small animal MRI facility at the University of Utah. The instrument proposed is a Bruker ClinScanZ B-C 70/30 USR (Ultra-Shielded, Refrigerated) high-resolution imaging system. Key technical features of the system include a 7.05 Tesla actively-shielded magnet, 30.2 cm magnetic clear bore size, a 20.1 cm inner-diameter base gradient system capable of 300 mT/m, 8-channel 1H spectrometer electronics, a Siemens MRI console, and in vivo imaging accessories. The University of Utah is a leader in genetic analysis of human disease and has been at the forefront in both generating and studying mice with targeted gene alterations. MRI's noninvasive nature and unparalleled soft-tissue contrast have made it a modality of choice for anatomical and physiological imaging of these genetically engineered animals. MRI imaging in small animals faces technical challenges related to requirements for high-resolution (e.g., SNR and spatial resolution tradeoff) and animal physiological considerations (e.g., high heart rates, motion). Moreover, quantitative interpretation of MR images often necessitates sophisticated post-processing and analysis (e.g., 3D visualization, registration). An innovative aspect of this proposal is that it will take advantage of the novel and innovative MRI technology development and image display/analysis research (largely funded by NIH) ongoing at the University of Utah. The proposed core MRI facility will leverage the strengths of the Utah Center for Advanced Imaging Research (UCAIR) and Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI). The integration of these technical resources in the operation and organizational infrastructure of the proposed high-field strength small animal imaging MRI facility will provide significant value-added benefits to its users. There are several NIH funded research projects at the University of Utah that currently utilize limited forms of small animal MRI, and many more NIH funded investigators that have clear but unmet small animal MRI needs. There is currently no dedicated up-to-date small animal MRI scanner in the state of Utah. Consequently, the instrument will have a profound impact on existing NIH funded projects and initiating new research projects at the University of Utah and beyond.