Ultra high field MRI for small animals

使用磁共振成像对小动物进行无创成像是临床前研究不可或缺的一部分，可以无创检测形态、功能和分子器官和组织的变化。本申请中提到的研究项目侧重于在小鼠和大鼠模型中进行成像的肿瘤学和免疫学主题，使用新型和创新成像方法的开发来改善肿瘤学和免疫学疾病的诊断。小动物成像是在已经建立的实验多模态成像实验室（临床前成像平台埃尔兰根）中与磁共振物理学领域的知名专家密切合作进行的。在临床前成像平台埃尔兰根中，我们可以使用更多的专用小动物扫描仪，其成像信息可以被视为磁共振成像的补充：计算机断层扫描、正电子发射断层扫描、光学成像和超声。在多模态成像方面，磁共振扫描仪将被整合到弗里德里希-亚历山大大学的中央小动物成像单位，以便将结果与其他模态相关联。由于申请的设备是替代制造商不再支持的现有超高场磁共振断层扫描仪，因此整个基础设施已经到位，无需任何更改即可使用。临床前成像平台埃尔兰根的实验室附属于弗里德里希-亚历山大大学的中心动物设施，并在卫生方面完全集成。由于临床前成像平台埃尔兰根作为核心设施运行，因此申请的磁共振断层扫描仪也可用于大学的其他临床前研究小组。

Non-invasive imaging in small animals using magnetic resonance imaging is an indispensable part of preclinical research and enables the non-invasive detection of morphological, functional and molecular organ and tissue changes. The research projects mentioned in this application focuses on oncologic and immunologic topics for imaging in mouse and rat models, using the development of novel and innovative imaging methods to improve the diagnosis of oncologic and immunologic diseases. Small animal imaging is performed in the already established laboratory for experimental multimodal imaging (Preclinical Imaging Platform Erlangen) in close cooperation with renowned experts in magnetic resonance physics. In the Preclinical Imaging Platform Erlangen we have access to further dedicated small animal scanners whose imaging information can be considered as complementary to magnetic resonance imaging: Computed tomography, positron emission tomography, optical imaging and ultrasound. In terms of multimodal imaging, the magnetic resonance scanner will be integrated into the central small animal imaging unit of the Friedrich-Alexander University in order to correlate results with other modalities. Since the equipment applied for is a replacement of a currently existing ultra-high field magnetic resonance tomograph that is no longer supported by the manufacturer, the entire infrastructure is already in place and can be used without any changes. The laboratories of the Preclinical Imaging Platform Erlangen are attached to the central animal facility of the Friedrich-Alexander University and are fully integrated in terms of hygiene. Since the Preclinical Imaging Platform Erlangen is operated as a core facility, the magnetic resonance tomograph applied for is also available to other preclinically oriented research groups of the university.