3T MR Imager for small animals

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 528336730

The Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg (MLU) applies for the procurement of a preclinical MRI device with the field strength of 3 Tesla. It is planned that the device will become part of the Halle MR Imaging Core Facility (HMRICF). The primary users will be research groups from the Institute of Pharmacy and the School of Medicine. One focus of use will be non-invasive MR imaging for characterization of drug delivery systems, especially biodegradable implants and nanoscale delivery systems. Another focus for the use of the MRI device is for imaging pharmacological-oncological issues for several research groups in medicine and pharmacy. As part of the Core Facility, the MRI device is available to other Martin Luther University users from the natural sciences and medicine (first priority) as well as non-university users (second priority). The prioritization of the applications as well as the technical support is carried out by the Core Facility HMRICF. Examples of intended uses are imaging methods for vascular anomalies and their therapy, for cardiological questions (preclinical models of myocardial infarction), for the measurement of fat distributions, for the imaging of age-related changes. It is planned to intensify and expand existing co-operations of different working groups of the natural science faculties with working groups of medicine. One focus of the interfaculty and interdisciplinary cooperation is the development of innovative drug delivery systems for local release. For example, the device will be used for imaging of biodegradable cochlear implants in guinea pigs. Furthermore, the device will be used for advanced training of young scientists. It is planned to use the device for the education of students in the course of studies of medical physics, furthermore master theses, diploma theses and doctorates are planned, in which preclinical imaging by MRI will be an essential part.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: 3T MRT Gerät für Kleintiere
• Instrumentation Group: 3231 MR-Tomographie-Systeme
• Applicant Institution: Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
• Leader: Professor Dr. Karsten Mäder