The current MRI system, which has served the university for for almost ten years, needs a technical overhaul to maintain its reliability and continue offering state-of-the-art imaging. The upgrade is valued at 7 million SEK in total, with the Lundberg Foundation contributing more than half of the necessary funds. This investment is expected to significantly improve the system’s signal-to-noise ratio, which will enable faster data collection and higher resolution imaging, a critical factor in maintaining competitiveness with similar research facilities around the globe.
-This upgrade will secure the future of preclinical imaging at Lund University for at least a decade, says Michael Gottschalk, Ph.D., specialized in preclinical imaging and platform responsible.
-It will allow us to continue supporting researchers with cutting-edge imaging techniques, speeding up experiments and improving the quality of data while reducing the number of experiments, Mikael continues.
Preclinical MRI plays an essential role in research projects that require detailed imaging of diseases to a detail that cannot be achieved in clinical settings. LBIC’s preclinical MRI platform currently supports around 15 active research projects, contributing to numerous scientific publications each year. The enhanced MRI system will further advance studies in areas such as:
- Traumatic brain injury, offering insights into the extent of damage in the brain's white matter and new therapeutic strategies
- Recently discovered glymphatic system, a drainage system in the brain, and its role in conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Adverse effects of high salt consumption on the heart and kidneys, with a focus on understanding why women are more susceptible
- Identification of new biomarkers to assess treatment outcomes in prostate cancer
The approved research project is led by a multidisciplinary team of researchers, including Niklas Marklund, Iben Lundgaard, Anja Meissner, Filip Szczepankiewicz and Michael Gottschalk, all of whom are affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at Lund University.
The MRI facility at Lund University currently operates a 9.4T MRI system, one of the most powerful preclinical MR-systems available.
The upgrade will not only extend the lifespan of this system but also allow it to match international standards, making LBIC a leading centre for preclinical imaging in Sweden. By upgrading the current system rather than replacing it entirely, the university avoids the need for a new system costing an estimated 30 million SEK, underscoring the strategic importance of this investment.
With this upgrade, the preclinical MRI platform will continue to be a key resource for researchers at Lund University, pushing the boundaries of medical imaging and translational research until at least 2035.
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