Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

<p>A major goal of our research team is the use of multiple imaging modalities to uncover new and unique physiological biomarkers for understanding and quantifying tissue phenotype, and to understand the relationship of such phenotype to disease. In particular, imaging modalities based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide superior tissue differentiation compared to modalities like computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound; this research team has had recent success in inventing new MRI modalities for more comprehensive tissue characterization and assessment. However, a significant barrier to accelerated research in this area is the lack of MRI facilities at the University of Waterloo (UW) for fast data collection of small tissue samples or for easy and rapid investigation of new MRI modalities and pulse sequences.</p> <p>The requested equipment is a portable Research Lab benchtop MRI system. The proposed equipment will be a central supporting technology dedicated to: 1) data collection from various types of tissues for quantitative tissue characterization and assessment, and 2) design of new MRI modalities and associated pulse sequences for providing better resolution and contrast between different tissue types. Though we have had recent success in improving tissue imaging resolution and contrast and improving tissue characterization, much of this work has been done off-site; the pace of our research would be greatly accelerated by on-site access to a modest MRI desktop instrument. The proposed equipment is of crucial importance to the work of at least nine investigators at UW requiring access to rapid imaging for small tissue samples, and the parallel ability to rapidly reconfigure and experiment with different pulse sequences and associated reconstruction techniques to refine fundamental imaging parameters in tissue identification.&nbsp;</p> <p><span style=""font-size: 12.8px; line-height: 1.5em;"">The successful acquisition of the requested MRI system will not only contribute significantly to quantitative tissue characterization and assessment for improved clinical diagnosis and treatment planning, but has the potential to improve the understanding of tissue physiology for cancer and intervertebral discs. Other expected outcomes include the development of quantitative predictive models for severity of cancer and spinal injury based on MRI imaging, and a better understanding of the mechanisms of low back pain and spinal injury; all of these applications would constitute important advances to our health care system.</span></p> <p>Through this research, approximately 94 HQPs (PDFs, PhD, Masters, and undergraduate students) will be trained in integrative systems design methods, multi-disciplinary collaborative technology design with clinical partners, and experimental research and validation methods. These skills are critical for designing and developing new imaging and analysis technologies within the highly-competitive healthcare industry.</p>