Upgrade of a 7T Small Animal MRI/MRS System

 描述（由申请人提供）：这是一份升级现有7特斯拉磁共振成像（MRI）和波谱（MRS）系统的资金申请，该系统已在范德比尔特大学用于小鼠和大鼠研究十年。升级（更换控制台，包括主计算机、光谱仪和RF模块，但不包括磁体和梯度子系统）是必需的（a）因为10年后系统不再是最先进的，其性能限制了正在进行的研究项目，而且（B）制造商（Agilent）将不再（自2013年10月起）继续从事小动物MRI业务，提供升级，维护硬件或以令人满意的方式支持系统。升级将确保这一重要资源的持续生产力，同时提供更高的能力。该设备将由超过16名已建立的研究者使用，他们都是7T扫描仪的经验丰富的用户，用于各种研究应用和培训计划。这些研究项目分为4个主要类别：（1）成像物理学，在高场开发新的和改进的MR成像方法，并更好地理解所提供的新信息的性质，沿着小动物的应用：（2）癌症，以及MRI和MRS在小动物模型中肿瘤生物学研究中的发展和应用，包括开发成像生物标志物，以评估癌症的新治疗方法：（3）神经科学，以及结构和功能MRI在大脑结构和功能组织研究中的应用，特别是特定遗传修饰和新型药物的影响：（4）代谢紊乱，以及先进的MRI和MRS方法在体内生理生化研究中的发展和应用。9个主要用户的项目将需要大约68%的仪器使用，次要用户将需要大约20%的时间，剩余的时间将用于探索性研究和新方向。每个项目都将受益于7T成像的优势，包括高信噪比（SNR），高空间分辨率，MRS的出色光谱分辨率，以及检测特定对比机制和试剂引起的变化的高灵敏度。该扫描仪将在范德比尔特大学成像科学研究所（VUIIS）内进行安置和管理，并将继续成为一大群成像科学家和学员的主要研究资源。该仪器将由一个既定的磁共振成像专家和支持人员小组提供支持。已经为扫描仪的财政和技术支持以及管理和使用制定了一项全面计划，并保证该系统得到强有力的机构支持和监督。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is an application for funding to upgrade an existing 7- Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) system that has been in use for a decade at Vanderbilt University for studies of mice and rats. The upgrade (a replacement console, including main computer, spectrometer and RF modules, but not including the magnet and gradient subsystem) is required (a) because after 10 years the system is no longer state-of-the-art and its performance limits ongoing research projects but also (b) the manufacturer (Agilent) will no longer (since October 2013) remain in the business of small animal MRI, provide upgrades, maintain hardware or support the system in a satisfactory way. The upgrade will ensure the continuing productivity of this important resource, and at the same time provide enhanced capabilities. This device will be used by over 16 established investigators, all of whom are already experienced users of the 7T scanner, in a variety of research applications and training programs. These research projects fall into 4 main categories: (1) Imaging physics, the development of new and improved MR imaging methods at high field, and of a greater understanding of the nature of the new information provided, along with applications in small animals: (2) Cancer, and the development and applications of MRI and MRS for the study of tumor biology in small animal models, including the development of imaging biomarkers to assess novel treatments for cancer: (3) Neuroscience, and the application of structural and functional MRI to studies of the architecture and functional organization of the brain, especially the effects of specific genetic modifications and of novel pharmaceuticals: (4) Metabolic Disorders, and the development and applications of advanced MRI and MRS methods to studies of physiology and biochemistry in vivo. The projects of the 9 Major Users would require approximately 68% use of the instrument, the Minor Users would require about 20% of the time, and the remaining time available would be available for exploratory research and new directions. Each of the projects will benefit from the advantages of imaging at 7T, including high signal to noise ratio (SNR), high spatial resolution, excellent spectral resolution for MRS, and high sensitivity for detecting changes caused by specific contrast mechanisms and agents. The scanner will be housed and managed within the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), and will remain a primary research resource for a large group of imaging scientists and trainees. The instrument will be supported by an established group of MR imaging experts and support staff. A comprehensive plan has been developed for the financial and technical support of the scanner as well as for its management and use, and the system is assured of strong institutional support and oversight.