EUROCANMRI

Magnetic Resonance Methods Development and Applications for Life Sciences

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'This application is to enable mutual transfer of knowledge and experience by enhancing mutual scientific interest, augmenting research projects and exchanging new ideas. We envision that the collaboration will bring joint publications and new discoveries in the area of Magnetic Resonance (MR). The project aims at the improvement of current diagnostic capabilities of MR in the areas of spinal cord injury, cancer and Alzheimer disease as well as the development of new MR imaging methods. These tasks can only be accomplished with the support from the NRC facilities and researchers. The combination of Canadian expertise and the experience of Polish and Czech partners in these areas is a perfect match that will allow further advancements of science. The participating institutions are: Dept. of MRI, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences (INP), Krakow, Poland; Dept. of MR and Bioinformatics, Ustav Pristrojove Techniky, Czech Academy of Sciences (UPT), Brno, Czech Republic and National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Institute for Biodiagnostics, MR Technology, Winnipeg and Calgary, Canada. Both European participants have been collaborating for over 20 years with NRC. Canadian equipment and expertise is crucial for the success of the projects. Polish and Czech researchers will be working with their Canadians colleagues to enable gaining of the knowledge of technology and expertise already established in Canada, but still under development in European labs. The Canadian partner will benefit from expertise in animal models of diseases and MR techniques developed in Polish and Czech labs. There will be 25 senior scientists from three institutions involved in the projects over a 48 months. For the effective transfer and exchange of the knowledge we intend to organize two workshops. The gained knowledge will be utilized during the years following the exchange as the related projects will continue in the home institutions.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique used to investigate the anatomy and physiology of the body. It is the diagnostic tool of choice for many diseases, and increase in demand has led to concerns about MRI cost-effectiveness.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

MRI has a wide range of applications in medical diagnosis as it does not use any ionising radiation. The EU-funded Marie Curie 'Magnetic resonance methods development and applications for life sciences' (EUROCANMRI) project aimed to develop new diagnostic capabilities in the areas of cancer, spinal cord and Alzheimer's diseases.

Conventionally, MRI images are formed by applying gradients to the main static magnetic field. However, the gradient equipment is expensive, complex, and can induce circular currents in nearby conducting structures, including the patient tissues. Over the initial period of the project the MRI console was designed, successfully installed and tested with a range of phantoms for hydrogen and phosphorus resonances.

The project team continued development of software packages for different imaging techniques with particular focus on gradient-free MRI methodology. The results with this approach demonstrated one-dimensional and two-dimensional imaging capabilities and slice selection using a single-channel MRI system. Potential applications include a low-cost process that could be used in a space station setting.

Early diagnosis of brain tumour glioma is crucial and the scientists investigated different contrast agents for diagnostic purposes. The study showed that contrast agent the project had developed, anti-IGFBP7 iron oxide single domain antibody, selectively targets abnormal vessels within a mouse glioblastoma.

In addition to research and development work, the project team organised a workshop. About 70 MRI scientists from Canada, USA and European countries participated in the event exchanging ideas and knowledge. Project partners presented six talks and two posters illustrating their work.