While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners are most often associated with clinical diagnostics activities, their ability to visualize internal structures of the body in detail, especially soft tissues, makes MRI scanning machines extremely valuable for laboratory research scientists as well. So it's no small matter that an NIH equipment grant has made it possible for Cornell University in Ithaca to get one of its own, just last week, and establish the Cornell MRI Facility in Martha Van Rensselaer Hall. It's not just any scanner either, but a 3 Tesla GE Discovery 750, which provides noninvasive imaging with high signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution for structural and functional research involving small animals, humans, plants and biomedical materials. MRI technology does not involve radiation.
Removal of part of an exterior wall was necessary to get the new research machine into the building that willl be its home (photo below), and full installation will be complete by fall.
[Delivery of Cornell's new MRI scanner, photo by Mark Vorreuter of the Cornell Chronicle]
The PI for the equipment grant, biomedical engineering professor Yi Wang (also a faculty member at Weill Cornell), said this about its potential for advancing Cornell's research competitiveness:
"The MRI scanner fills the void of in vivo imaging capability on the Ithaca campus...with potential for results to be translated into clinical practice at Weill Cornell and into healthier life commercialization opportunities in the CornellNYC Tech campus."
Dr. Valerie Reyna, professor of human development in the College of Human Ecology, is Wang's co-director at the new MRI Facility and adds this comment:
"The MRI scanner expands Cornell's capacity to push the boundaries of research in the social, biological and physical sciences - and to integrate these sciences. This versatile tool makes it possible to observe the brain in action, creating opportunities for scientific innovation to improve the human condition. It will be an asset in attracting and retaining excellent faculty, enriching the educational experience for our students."
The new MRI facility envisions these areas of research application:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral science
- Biomedical science
- Animal science
- Plant science
- Tissue engineering
- Nanobiotechnology
- Drug delivery in animals
[View from the bell tower, courtesy of Cornell University]
Biotechnology Calendar, Inc. looks forward to visiting this outstanding academic research institution in Upstate New York for our 4th Annual Ithaca BioResearch Product Faire Front Line event on October 11, 2012. For information on exhibiting and to receive a funding report, click the button below:
Biotechnology Calendar, Inc. is a full-service event marketing and planning company producing on-campus life science research tradeshows nationwide for going on 20 years. We plan and promote each event to bring the best products and services to the best research campuses across the country. Life science researchers, purchasing agents, and lab managers are actively invited to attend to see the latest products and equipment and discuss their laboratory tool and service needs. See our nationwide show schedule for 2012.