Research Facilities

The Division of MR Research is comprised of several different research centers, each of which has resources unique to its mission, but available for interdisciplinary collaboration with the entire division. The division maintains 3 service centers, which provide research time on a Philips Intera 3.0T, a GE Signa 1.5T (soon to be replaced), and a GE Excite 1.5T, as well as several additional scanners.

There are five clinical research MRI scanners (three GE 1.5 T scanners, one Siemens scanner, and one 3T Philips scanner). In addition, there are four animal and clinical research MRI scanners (two GE Signa 1.5T; LX version 5.8 and CV/I 8.2; and two Philips scanners, one 1.5T and one 3T system). Both the Philips 1.5T Intera and a 3T Intera system equipped for cardiovascular use (6 parallel 1MHz receiver channels, parallel imaging (SENSE), Vector ECG, cardiac software, real-time spectrometers and navigators, interactive capabilities) are available in the Division and are located at the Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI). Specifically, the 3T system has been equipped with a 6-element phased array coil for parallel imaging in cardiac applications. These scanners are equipped with echo-planar and spiral gradient coils.

In addition, the first 3T MR scanner with combined x-ray fluoroscopic facilities available in the USA , Europe, or Asia has been installed in the Department of Radiology.

Also located in the Division of MR Research is a 4.7T 40cm-horizontal bore Bruker Biospec spectrometer equipped with shielded gradients (AccuStarTM) for use in animal studies. Two high-resolution vertical bore NMR spectrometers (a GE 400 MHz wide bore and a Bruker MSL 500-WB) with micro imaging facilities are available in the NMR facility. All the computers are connected to the spectrometers and scanners via ethernet. A Gould 4-channel recorder and pressure transducers are in place at each spectrometer. The NMR biochemistry lab is equipped with a Gilford Response UV-VIS spectrophotometer, a Gilford Fluoro IV spectrofluorimeter, a Dupont Sorvall RC2B refrigerated superspeed centrifuge, and a heart perfusion system complete with a Gould 4-channel recorder and pressure transducers and oxygen electrode. A YSI 2300 Stat glucose and lactate analyzer for automated analysis of serum and whole blood glucose is also available.

In December 2004, we installed a 9.4T horizontal bore Bruker system in the basement of the Broadway Research Building , which also houses a Xenogen Bioluminescence system. An electronics shop is also available within the MR facility.

The F.M. Kirby Research Center (Peter vanZijl, Professor and Director) houses a Philips 1.5T and 3.0T magnet, as well as other technical resources.

The In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Center (ICMIC) (Zaver Bhujwalla, Professor and Director). The ICMIC houses a heart perfusion laboratory, a biochemistry laboratory, two MR Oncology laboratories equipped with tissue culture apparatus such as sterile laminar flow hoods, -80 freezers, and incubators, an ELISA reader and a molecular biology area, 3 spectrometer rooms, an electronics shop, a small machine shop, an acute surgical suite and a computer room. The JHU ICMIC Program also has a small animal dissecting microscope (Olympus), two phase contrast inverted microscope (Zeiss) for tissue culture studies, an optical microscope (Olympus) for histological and immunohistochemical analysis of tissue sections. A CCD camera (Sanyo, Ltd.) is attached to the Olympus microscope.

The Division of MR Research also operates an NMR Service Center , which includes histology services.