3T whole-body MRI with a high-performance research gradient system

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 520631606

The present application refers to the acquisition of a magnetic resonance imager (MRI) of the latest generation. On the one hand, this planned acquisition aims to ensure the future sustainability of the methodological development work of our research institution by providing access to new functionality and software interfaces. On the other hand, the technical enhancements associated with this application - especially stronger and more reliable magnetic field gradients - represent an essential prerequisite for successful further research and development work, especially for the presented ongoing and future projects in the fields of oncological research (development of new hyperpolarized contrast agents, diffusion MRI, multiparametric imaging, application of artificial intelligence), neuroscience (functional brain imaging, high-resolution diffusion-weighted microstructure MRI), musculoskeletal and orthopedic applications (functional joint imaging under stress), as well as cardiovascular research and application projects (intravascular interventions, functional cardiac MRI, 4D flow). A particular technical aspect of the planned work is the development and optimization of measurement methods for microstructure MRI with a special focus on the transparency of measurement parameters and the reproducibility of results, in accordance with the open-science trends. Another aspect of the planned acquisition is the further development of our international cooperations. MRI acquisition methods and image reconstruction environments that we have created over the recent years (MREG/OVOC, Pulseq, prospective motion correction) are now installed at over 100 external cooperating sites worldwide. Access to the latest hardware and software platforms is essential for us for providing software updates and long-term support to these sites and thereby for supporting and developing these scientific contacts further.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: 3T Human MRT mit leistungsfähigem Forschungs-Gradientensystem
• Instrumentation Group: 3231 MR-Tomographie-Systeme
• Applicant Institution: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
• Leader: Professor Dr. Maxim Zaitsev