Access to cutting-edge tools is a crucial prerequisite for delivering world-class research. At Lund University Bioimaging Centre (LBIC), this principle drives the mission to provide a well-functioning research infrastructure that includes state-of-the-art equipment and expert staff. One of LBIC's most prominent assets is the national 7T MR facility, renowned for its pivotal role in bridging preclinical and clinical research.
A Hub for Translational Research
The 7T MR facility in Lund operates in close collaboration with the Medical Imaging unit (VO BoF) at Region Skåne, making it an ideal hub for translational research. This facility was the first in the world to receive regulatory approval for clinical scanning with a 7T scanner, positioning Lund at the forefront of clinical research and advancing the understanding of patient care and safety.
Ultra-high field MR imaging, such as that provided by the 7T scanner, allows for unique insights into the human body's structure and function. This powerful technology is becoming the standard for neuroscientists, offering reliable techniques that can be used without the constant involvement of technical experts. Ongoing developments continue to push the limits of speed, resolution, and imaging techniques, enabling breakthroughs like resolving activations in individual cortical layers. In Lund, this method is employed by a diverse array of researchers, including psychologists, psychiatrists, and linguists, as well as neuro-radiologists and neurologists investigating brain structures at exceptional resolution.
Serving a Broad Research Community
The 7T MR system is an invaluable resource across numerous research domains and is open to all Swedish scientists. It supports projects spanning multiple faculties—Medicine, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Engineering—as well as research collaborations with other Swedish universities and international partners in the Netherlands, Denmark, and the USA.
Researchers use the 7T MR system to explore human neuroanatomy and function with high sensitivity, unlocking new insights into conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. The system also contributes to understanding brain function related to language acquisition, concentration, and fear conditioning, and has enhanced capabilities in high-resolution examinations of the knee and wrist.
A Decade of Excellence and an Exciting Upgrade
First installed in 2014, the 7T MR system has supported ground-breaking research for nearly a decade. To maintain its position, a comprehensive hardware and software upgrade was undertaken in the summer of 2024. These enhancements include AI-supported image reconstruction, further elevating image quality and research potential.
To mark the 10-year anniversary of the national 7T MR facility and celebrate the upgrade, LBIC is hosting a half-day symposium the 19th of November. Open to all with an interest in MR imaging, the event will feature invited speakers discussing the latest trends in ultra-high field MR research and clinical applications. Presentations will highlight the diverse ways in which the Swedish National 7T MR facility contributes to answering key research questions in fields such as epilepsy, neurotrauma, and cognitive neuroscience.
Join us in celebrating a decade of innovation and the future of ultra-high field MR research!
