Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

• State-of-the-art technology mapping brain function
• Most advanced MEG technology currently available, and the only MEG scanner in Dallas
• Clinical utilization
• Pre-surgical test to plan procedures, particularly in patients with epilepsy
• Research utilization
• Used in psychology, neurology, radiology, and other departments

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

The Magnetic Resonance (MR) core is established to facilitate research and development within the Department of Radiology and collaborating departments in the field of MR imaging (MRI) and MR spectroscopy (MRS). The MR core consists of a start-of-the-art whole-body human scanner (Philips Ingenia 3T MR) and a small animal Desktop scanner (Aspect 1T MR). Philips Ingenia is a state-of-the-art MR scanner that includes dual-transmit and digital architecture for signal reception. This scanner enables the development and evaluation of new MRI/MRS techniques for improved diagnosis and understanding of the pathophysiology of disease. Aspect 1T scanner enables sequential imaging of small animals (e.g. mice and rats), without sacrificing them, for longitudinal monitoring of disease progression and/or therapy response. Being cited next to the small animal PET/CT and SPECT/CT scanners, this allows superposition of images for multimodality analysis.

Click here to explore more about the MR Core.

3D Modeling and Printing

• An in-house resource for developing both virtual and physical models, for basic and translational research support
• Flagship technology is a high-end 3D printer (Project 3510HDplus, 3D systems) which prints full density, gas-sterilizable models with sub-millimeter resolution
• Also has a lower cost 3D printer used for high-volume projects where there are less constraints on dimensional precision
• In addition to printing, the core maintains access to a variety of analysis and design software, and provides the services of engineering and machining staff with expertise in device design and manufacturing, finite element simulations, and medical image-based modelling

Small Animal Imaging Resource (SAIR)

• Facilitates small animal imaging using multiple modalities including depth resolved or planar optical imaging (fluorescence (FLI), bioluminescence (BLI) and chemiluminescence (CLI)), MRI, ultrasound, photoacoustic tomography, PET/CT, SPECT/CT and planar scintigraphy
• Experienced investigators and technical staff capable of undertaking imaging and assisting in data interpretation are associated with the Resource and provide consultation and assist with analysis of studies
• Infrastructure for animal handling (e.g., anesthesia, infusion, monitoring vital signs). These high-end imaging instruments would be beyond the budget of most research teams and without the Resource, imaging would be unavailable to most investigators
• SAIR leaders and members of the Technical Advisory Committee can advise investigators on experimental planning (optimal experimental approaches, image manipulation, and statistical analysis, coordinating with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and Environmental Health and Safety), implementing investigations (access to instruments and scheduling experiments), data analysis and validation and data archiving.
• These experts can assist with proof of principle investigations, such as pulse programming and implementation for novel MRI experiments, design and acquisition or building of MR coils, choice of reporter molecules and /or genes, radiolabeling procedures and synthesis of ligands. Once experimental protocols have been established, routine investigations will be performed on a cost recovery basis by dedicated skilled technicians.
• SAIR is an institutional facility that promotes and facilitates small animal imaging related to models of human disease
• Currently administered jointly by the Advanced Imaging Research Center (AIRC) and the Department of Radiology
• Small Animal MR Scanner
• The Aspect 1T Desktop is a small animal MR scanner with a relatively small footprint that can be easily housed in animal research facilities. The primary purpose of this 1T MR scanner is to facilitate small animal imaging research within the Department of Radiology and collaborating departments. This includes sequential imaging of small animals such as mice and rats, without sacrificing them, for longitudinal monitoring of either disease progression or therapy response. Being sited next to the small animal PET/CT and SPECT/CT scanners, this allows superposition of images for multimodality analysis.

Translational Molecular Imaging Core (TMIC)

Our cyclotron and radiochemistry facility is approved for CGMP production of PET radiopharmaceuticals for human use.

• The facility includes a GE PETtrace 880 cyclotron and ancillary instruments
• Currently capable of producing 6 radioisotopes and >30 radiotracers in addition to the FDA-approved tracers
• A regulatory office in the Department of Radiology facilitates Investigational New Drug (IND) and Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDA) approval of radiotracers.

A GE Discovery IQ five ring PET/CT dedicated to research is available on the NE2 building, in close proximity to our cyclotron facility. This state-of-the-art digital time-of-flight (TOF) PET/CT scanner provides a 26 cm axial field of view with the highest noise equivalent count rate (NECR) of the commercially available PET/CT scanners and high NEMA sensitivity (22cps/kBq2). The five-ring system facilitates faster anatomic coverage for whole body PET/CT studies. It has both respiratory and cardiac gating capabilities. A dedicated software package (Dynamic Vue) for quantitative analysis of PET data, including 4D PET datasets, is available.

The Siemens Inveon PET/CT Multimodality System (NE3.116) is a small animal PET/CT imaging scanner built on the Siemens Inveon acquisition architecture, which fully integrates PET and CT into a common data acquisition system for automatic transition between modes and seamless coordination of CT and PET data acquisition

• Development and implementation of imaging protocols in a range of disease models (e.g., cancer, diabetes, metabolism, cardiotoxicity, neurodegenerative diseases, etc.)
• Validation of novel imaging probe development, which ranges from small organic molecules to macromolecules including proteins and nanoparticles