Develops magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and image-guided therapeutics in preclinical models of disease.
The 7T preclinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facility at the Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI) provides state-of-the-art preclinical MRI as a service to research and industry partners. The facility houses a Bruker 7 Tesla (BioSpec 70/30) MRI system for high-performance in vivo preclinical imaging research. The staff have world-leading expertise in in vivo structural, functional and metabolic imaging for deep phenotyping in animal disease models.
Non-invasive longitudinal imaging is critical for translational research. The 7T system allows researchers to characterize and track disease pathology and progression, and to monitor the effectiveness of therapeutics in experimental models.
The facility is equipped with a range of radiofrequency (RF) coils and animal monitoring equipment, as well as an RF lab for developing custom RF coil solutions.
The facility continually updates and expands its services to keep up with advances in technology and user needs. It is open to the SRI community as well as to external research and industry partners.
- High-resolution structural MRI (T1 and T2 weighted MRI sequences)
- Quantitative T1 and T2 mapping
- Quantitative Magnetization Transfer (qMT) MRI
- Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) MRI
- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (such as Proton MRS (1H-MRS), Phosphorus MRS (31P-MRS), and Carbon MRS (13C-MRS))
- BOLD fMRI (Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) functional MR imaging (fMRI) (task-based fMRI and resting state fMRI)
- Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI)
- MR diffusion tractography
- Cardiac MRI
- Physiological monitoring
- Stimulus delivery
- Anesthesia delivery
- Training on the use of MRI and animal monitoring equipment
- Healthcare and social services
- Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
Specialized labs and equipment
| Equipment | Function |
|---|---|
| Bruker 7 Tesla (BioSpec 70/30) preclinical MRI system | |
| Bruker ParaVision 6.0.1 | Preclinical MR imaging software. |
| Bruker BGA12S high performance gradient system with integrated shim coil | Max gradient strength 660 mT/m, suitable for imaging objects <7.5 cm in diameter. |
| Bruker BGA20S high performance gradient system with integrated shim coil | Max strength 300 mT/m, suitable for imaging objects <14 cm diameter. |
| Bruker 1H transmit-receive volume coil with active detuning with inner diameter 86 mm | Whole body imaging of various species. |
| Bruker 1H transmit-receive volume coil with active detuning with inner diameter 154 mm | Whole body imaging of larger species. |
| Bruker 1H planar receive-only surface coil with inner diameter 20 mm with preamplifier | Imaging of various species and anatomical structures. |
| Bruker 1H receive-only 2 x 2 rat brain surface array coil | Imaging of various species and anatomical structures. |
| Bruker 1H receive-only rat brain surface coil | Imaging of rat and mouse brains. Offers a better signal for deep structures than the 20 mm surface coil. |
| Bruker 1H/13C transmit-receive surface coil with inner diameter 20 mm | Suitable for imaging proton or carbon-13 in surface structures. |
Additional information
| Title | URL |
|---|---|
| Sunnybrook Core Facilities | https://research.sunnybrook.ca/facilities-and-research-groups/ |
| Functional Brain Imaging Lab at Sunnybrook Research Institute | https://brainimaginglab.com/preclinical-mri |
| Neuronal reprogramming research supported by the New Frontiers in Research Fund | https://teamineuron.com/research/ |