Upgrading a small animal MRI scanner for better imaging capabilities
Official title: 7T Small Animal MRI Upgrade
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-10630418 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about making a special MRI machine at the University of Iowa even better, so it can take clearer pictures of small animals like rodents and help researchers learn more about health and medicine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $600,000 |
| NIH project number | 1S10OD034261-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10630418 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include those involved in preclinical studies of diseases such as cancer and pulmonary disorders, as well as researchers in biomedical engineering.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in research or do not have conditions that require animal model studies may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on upgrading the existing small animal 7T MRI scanner at the University of Iowa to enhance its imaging capabilities. The upgrade involves replacing outdated electronics while retaining key components like the superconducting magnet and RF coils. This will allow for improved imaging of rodents and larger animals, support for additional MR-visible nuclei, and a modernized pulse sequence library. The upgraded scanner will be utilized extensively for various NIH-funded projects, benefiting multiple researchers and advancing biomedical imaging techniques.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and detailed imaging of small animals, which is crucial for understanding diseases and developing new treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success with similar upgrades in MRI technology, enhancing imaging capabilities and supporting a wide range of biomedical applications.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Magnotta, Vincent a — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Magnotta, Vincent a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.