Magnetic Resonance Physics Research
The Magnetic Resonance Physics group works in close collaboration with clinical colleagues in the Centre developing methods to address specific clinical questions.
Physics led development
This has allowed us to undertake novel studies in numerous medical domains.
Through a research agreement with Philips Medical Systems we are able to program new pulse sequences on our 3T clinical scanner and develop new radio-frequency coil systems, particularly for non-proton MR measurements.
We are developing a number of novel techniques and applications focussing on metabolic and physiological measurements closely allied to our clinical populations:
- proton spectroscopic imaging - multi-slice whole brain measurements
- fluorine-19 imaging - MRI of inhalable inert gas tracers for lung function measurements
- phosphorus-31 spectrscopy techniques - for use in skeletal muscle and heart
- carbon-13 spectroscopy techniques - for use in skeletal muscle, liver and brain
- lithium-7 spectroscopy techniques - for quantitative assessment of brain levels
- blood flow imaging - for use in the brain and skeletal muscle
- 3-point Dixon imaging techniques - for quantitation of fat levels in many body areas
- applications of cardiac tagging - measuring heart function
These studies are supported by a variety of funders including the MRC and the Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust.