Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has become an important research tool, offering insights into the anatomy and physiology of living organisms. At the University of Utah, a range of MRI services is available to cater to the diverse needs of the research community. These services enhance the quality of research and facilitate discoveries across various fields.
Utah MRI Research Center (UMRC)
The Utah MRI Research Center (UMRC) houses four state-of-the-art 3 Tesla MRI scanners, which can produce superior functional MRI images. UMRC also partners with the Utah Center for Advanced Imaging Research (UCAIR) to support imaging data. With over 800 IRB or IACUC-approved studies to date, UMRC offers robust infrastructure and support for a wide variety of imaging research projects. The team of eight highly skilled MRI technologists, IT support staff, and physicists collaborate with researchers to design and optimize imaging protocols. UMRC also provides:
- Physiological monitoring devices
- Point-of-care testing for kidney functionby responding
- Anesthesia units for pre-clinical studies
- A variety of MRI coils—such as phosphorus brain coils—and access to the coil lab
A clinical trial using high-frequency ultrasound and MRI to ablate breast cancer tumors is one notable project enabled by the UMRC.
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Center for Quantitative Cancer Imaging
The Center for Quantitative Cancer Imaging at Huntsman Cancer Institute is equipped with a 1 Tesla PET/MRI scanner, specifically designed for in vivo imaging of small animals such as mice and rats. This low-field MRI system is particularly effective when used with contrast agents and offers the unique advantage of acquiring molecular images with PET (Positron Emission Tomography) in the same imaging session. Researchers primarily use this service to evaluate novel cancer rodent models and assess the efficacy of cancer drugs. The core provides comprehensive support, including:
- Animal handling
- Image acquisition and analysis
- Assistance with establishing tumor models and performing treatments
Notably, images from the PET/MRI scanner have been instrumental in securing several successful NIH grant applications.
Preclinical Imaging Facility
The Preclinical Imaging Facility is dedicated to noninvasive imaging of small animals. It features a 7 Tesla MRI system that supports a wide range of imaging experiments, as well as a wide range of other modern imaging technologies. The team of imaging scientists and animal support technicians work closely with researchers to develop and design imaging projects tailored to their specific needs. Key services include:
- High-resolution anatomic imaging
- Diffusion-weighted or diffusion tensor imaging
- Functional and perfusion MRI
- MRI angiography
This facility has enabled recent projects that include measuring how new treatments for traumatic brain injury affect brain tissue density in rats, as well as assessing disease progression in a rat model of liver cancer.