Development of quantitative MRI and PET techniques for biological applications

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging is one of the most versatile imaging techniques for studying fundamental properties of tissue. Its intrinsically non-invasive character makes it particularly suitable to study human and animal biology. Although it can generate images with very high spatial resolution, its sensitivity is somewhat limited. Positron Emission Tomography is an imaging technique that uses specially designed radiotracers to study specific biological processes at a molecular level. Unlike MRI, PET imaging is very sensitive; however it suffers from limited spatial resolution. Since MRI and PET provide often complementary information, carrying out combined MRI/PET studies on the same animal will provide research capability that is significantly improved over the means of each technique alone. Long term objective of the proposed research programme is to develop quantitative MRI and PET techniques and experimental setup for the combined MRI/PET technology for biological applications.Short term objectives of the proposed research are:1. To develop experimental setup for nearly simultaneous MRI/PET studies in the same animal.2. To develop quantitative T2 MRI techniques to study physical properties of water in animal Central Nervous System.3. To develop and implement quantitative MRI techniques for blood flow measurements in vivo.The proposed programme aims to expand research capabilities in the area of non-invasive studies of many aspects of animal physiology. Quantitative, multi-modal non-invasive imaging technology developed throughout this programme will help to broaden our understanding of biology of normal and diseased tissue. In addition this programme will provide excellent opportunities for training graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in an interdisciplinary environment.