Energy & Materials MRI

With the commissioning of stronger magnets for MRI at the MagLab, challenges arise with existing contrast agents such as iron oxides and gadolinium-based (Gd) agents. Many new opportunities for novel agents emerge, such as dysprosium-based (Dy) agents that can enhance sensitivity at these field strengths. Today, the most common contrast agents are iron oxide-based agents, which provide a hypointense signal due to their susceptibility-induced gradients, causing a dephasing of proximal spins. Although the iron particles are saturated at fields up to 1 tesla, the increased susceptibility artifacts can still provide increased contrast, especially with T₂* weighted sequences.

At the MagLab, we use a variety of iron-based agents. Most common are the commercial super paramagnetic iron oxides (SPIO) that are either micron-sized (MPIO) or nanometer-sized (USPIO). These agents are used for a variety of applications. We currently use them for cell labeling and in in vivo tracking of endogenously or exogenously labeled stem cells. We also collaborate with Florida State University’s Chemistry Department and other institutions to modify these SPIOs for multimodality properties and to develop novel contrast agents such as Dy-conjugated quantum dots. Dy, in contrast to the commonly used Gd agents, show increased relaxivity with higher field strengths. Recently, we have also investigated Dy and Gd conjugated ultra-short carbon nanotubes (DNT and GNT, respectively) in collaboration with Rice University.

We are always interested in working with collaborators to investigate high-field MRI contrast agents. We can either provide contrast agents for your research needs, such as cell tracking, or collaborate to develop novel, high-field agents. The 21.1 tesla magnet, with its commercial and homebuilt coils, can accommodate a wide verity of samples, ranging from in vitro solutions and cell samples to animal models. In addition, we have access to other lower-field magnets that can be used for these purposes.

The following instruments at AMRIS facility are available for this technique:

• 600 MHz 51 mm NMR Magnet (Gainesville)
• 750 MHz 89 mm NMR Magnet (Gainesville)
• 11.1 Tesla 33 cm MRI/S System (Gainesville)

The following instruments at NMR facility are available for this technique:

• 900 MHz 105 mm NMR & MRI/S system (Tallahassee)
• 500 MHz 89 mm NMR & MRI/S system (Tallahassee)

This following probes can be used with this technique:

• 900 MHz MRI probe for in-vivo imaging of rats with 2-RF channel 1H and 1H-X head coils(NHMFL #35, #39)
• 900 MHz Bruker Micro 2.5 probe for ex vivo and in vitro MRI for Proton studies (Bruker #H13398)
• 500 MHz MRI probe for in-vivo imaging of rats with 2-RF channel 1H
• 500 MHz Micro 2.5 probe for ex vivo and in vitro MRI for Proton studies
• 11.75 tesla MRI probe for ex vivo, in vitro or in vivo MRI with multiple 1H volume coils.

For more information, please contact Sam Grant in Tallahassee or Glenn Walter at AMRIS in Gainesville.

The following instruments at NMR facility are available for this technique:

• 900 MHz 105 mm NMR & MRI/S system (Tallahassee)
• 500 MHz 89 mm NMR & MRI/S system (Tallahassee)

This following probes can be used with this technique:

• 900 MHz MRI probe for in-vivo imaging of rats with 2-RF channel 1H and 1H-X head coils(NHMFL #35,#39)
• 900 MHz Bruker Micro 5 probe for ex vivo, in vitro and Battery MRI for Proton and Lithium studies(Bruker #Z143507)
• 500 MHz Bruker Micro 5 probe for ex vivo, in vitro and Battery MRI for Proton and Lithium studies

For information, please contact Sam Grant in Tallahassee.

This following instruments can be used with this technique:

• 900 MHz 105 mm NMR & MRI/S system (Tallahassee)
• 500 MHz 89 mm NMR & MRI/S system (Tallahassee)
• 750 MHz 89 mm NMR Magnet (Gainesville)
• 600 MHz 51 mm NMR Magnet (Gainesville)

This following probes can be used with this technique:

• 900 MHz MRI probe for in-vivo imaging of rats with multiple 1H and 1H–X head coils (NHMFL #35, #39)
• 900 Micro 5 probe for ex vivo, in vitro and Battery MRI with 10mm coils for Proton and Lithium studies(Bruker #Z143507)
• 500 MHz Bruker Micro 5 probe for ex vivo, in vitro and Battery MRI for Proton and Lithium studies

For more information, please contact Sam Grant in Tallahassee.