What is MRI?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an imaging technology that produces three dimensional detailed images of soft materials. MRIs utilise powerful magnets to produce a strong magnetic field or magnetic gradient. Protons in the body to align with that field; the resulting spin polarization is detected by pulsing a radiofrequency through the patient. The time it takes for the molecules (e.g., protons) to realign with the magnetic field, as well as the amount of energy released, changes depending on the environment and the chemical nature of the molecules.

Vevo 3100 Ultrasound Microimaging UNSW

Vevo 3100 Ultrasound Microimaging

image of ultrasound equipment bench

From a Vevo770 to a Vevo2100 in 2014, to a Vevo3100 in 2019. This ultrasound microimaging system can be used for cardiovascular studies, tumour imaging and volumetric calculations, and contrast enhanced imaging with microbubbles. The new solid-state array transducers allows higher frame-rate acquisitions (up to 740 fps), a resolution down to 30 micron, and wider field of view.

  • Frequencies from 13-56 MHz

  • High-temporal resolution

  • Nonlinear contrast imaging

  • VevoStrain Analysis software for cardiac research

Inquiries

To the Node

UNSW Facility Fellow
UNSW - BRIL Node Director

To NIF Central

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Ultrasound imaging UQ

Ultrasound imaging

A Siemens Acuson S3000 ultrasound system is available at CAI providing a real-time anatomical imaging capability ideal for soft tissue examination, dynamic flow measurement and elastography.

Availability of this technology complements existing imaging modalities at CAI and will benefit a wide range of programs with application to preclinical and clinical research in cancer, cardiac and musculoskeletal imaging. 

  • Multimodal image fusion

  • Elastography

  • Dynamic flow measurement

Inquiries

To the Node

Prof Markus Barth
Queensland Node Co-Director
QLD Facility Fellow

To NIF Central

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Rodent PET/SPECT LARIF

Rodent PET/SPECT

PET enables quantification of radiotracer distribution in live animals and tissue. Albira’s detector system uses a patented combination of single crystal detectors and advanced electronics to deliver extremely high resolution, quantitative, and accurate PET and SPECT images. This facility is located at the North Tce site of LARIF.

  • Small animal imaging studies

  • Molecular imaging

Inquiries

To the Node

SAHMRI Node Co-Director

To NIF Central

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Rodent optical imaging LARIF

Rodent optical imaging

Offers optical imaging technology to facilitate non-invasive longitudinal monitoring of disease progression, cell trafficking and gene expression patterns in living animals.

  • Bioluminescence

  • Fluorescence

  • Cherenkov imaging

Inquiries

To the Node

SAHMRI Node Co-Director

To NIF Central

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Rodent MRI LARIF

Rodent MRI

Brucker Icon 1T. Permanent magnet bench-top system for preclinical MR imaging. Physiological monitoring for live animals available (1mm resolution). This facility is located at the North Tce site of LARIF.

  • Small animal studies

  • Body composition

  • Molecular imaging

Inquiries

To the Node

SAHMRI Node Co-Director

To NIF Central

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Research Cyclotron USyd/ANSTO

Research Cyclotron - closed

ANSTO has ceased operations at the National Research Cyclotron Facility (NRCF) at Camperdown NSW and staff have been redeployed back to the Lucas Heights campus. The facility formed a major part of the University of Sydney – ANSTO joint node of the NCRIS National Imaging Facility (NIF).

With the closure of the research cyclotron facility that began operations in 2012, ANSTO will no longer produce carbon- and fluorine-based radiotracers used in PET imaging for pre-clinical and first-in-human clinical research projects.

A number of developments led to the decision to close the facility. There has been a fundamental shift in ANSTO’s health strategy to focus on emerging opportunities in radioisotope technologies, labelling methods for therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, and the growing field of theranostics, many of which are linked to the production of radioisotopes in the OPAL multipurpose reactor at Lucas Heights.

ANSTO will consolidate research and development, infrastructure investment, and radiochemistry expertise to support the health strategy at the Lucas Heights campus. The new strategy includes the acquisition of capabilities at Lucas Heights for the development of alpha-emitting therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, with co-investment by the National Imaging Facility (NIF).

ANSTO’s pre-clinical imaging capability has been centralised at the Lucas Heights campus and will remain an area of close collaboration with research partners, taking advantage of access to the new range of radioisotopes. Current training commitments in the areas of radiochemistry and radiopharmaceutical R&D and production have been moved to the Lucas Heights campus.

As the decision impacts both future and existing research projects and programs of work, particularly the supply of fluorine-18 and carbon-11 radiotracer products, ANSTO is exploring opportunities to transfer technology to other organisations and laboratories in Sydney and other capital cities. By focusing resources on the next generation of products, innovative radiopharmaceuticals and emerging medical modalities, ANSTO can deliver the most benefit to the health of Australians, the research community and the nuclear medicine industry.

Inquiries

To the Node

ANSTO Node Director

To NIF Central

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Research Cyclotron & Radiochemistry Lab UQ

Research Cyclotron

UQ research cyclotron

The IBA 18/18MeV cyclotron is capable of accelerating negative ions H- up to 18 MeV with two internal proton sources and eight independent exit and extraction ports. Eight targets are able to be simultaneously mounted on the cyclotron for radioisotope production and research activities.

  • 18F, 11C, 64Cu and more

  • Suite of hotcells available

  • Purification, manipulation, research synthesis, and dispensing capabilities

Inquiries

To the Node

QLD Facility Fellow
Prof Markus Barth
Queensland Node Co-Director
UQ Radiochemist

To NIF Central

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Radiochemistry Hot Cell & Radiolabelling Facility USyd/ANSTO

Radiochemistry Hot Cell & Radiolabelling Facility

close up of pipes and valves

The radiochemistry hot cells and radiolabelling facility were used to produce several radiotracers including PBR111, T807, fallypride, FHBG, and SFB for large campaigns
of studies spanning several months for projects requiring F-18  radiotracers, while raclopride and acetate were labelled for large campaigns of projects requiring C-11 radiotracers. The hot cells were also used for the development of new radio-conjugates and investigations of new materials using 11CO2 as the probing tool. The new GMP infrastructure in the facility was also used to provide a radiolabelled product for three patients as part of a clinical trial.

  • Radiotracer development

  • Investigation of new materials

  • GMP and ISO9001 accreditation

Inquiries

To the Node

ANSTO Node Director

To NIF Central

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