Cutting-edge MRI scanner unveiled, future of imaging explored

The September 7 Imaging Research Symposium, convened by the Clinical and Translational Science (CTSI) Center for Biomedical Imaging (CBI), featured a packed house at the Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC) for a morning session with presentations and discussions devoted to UB’s new Philips MR 7700 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. An afternoon session focused on the strength and purpose of the university’s imaging community.

It was a day for CBI and UB leadership, Philips representatives, and researchers from across UB to come together and ponder not just the importance of the new scanner, but also the impact imaging is having now — and will have in the future — on clinical and translational research and on health disparities in Western New York.

“Biomedical imaging is playing a revolutionary role in medical research in recent decades,” said CBI Core Director Robert Zivadinov, MD, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor, Professor of Neurology and Professor of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “This instrument is going to contribute significantly to putting UB in the top 25 research universities in the United States.”

‘Using imaging technology to achieve innovative clinical results’

In his welcome, Venu Govindaraju, PhD, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, discussed the university’s substantial financial investment in acquiring state-of-the-art research equipment, such as the scanner. Cutting-edge instruments, he explained, will encourage interdisciplinary research and help “solve major societal challenges.”

Allison Brashear, MD, MBA, Vice President for Health Sciences and Dean, Jacobs School, touched on the eye-opening history of MRI research, including its links to SUNY. Brashear sees UB’s investment in the Philips scanner as “making a clear statement to the global academic community, as well as to UB researchers, about [the university’s] long-range commitment to using imaging technology to achieve innovative clinical results.”

In addition, Brashear encouraged researchers from all disciplines to learn how they can utilize imaging science to advance and enrich their work. That statement was echoed by CTSI Director Timothy Murphy, MD, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research. He outlined why “imaging has become an essential tool for translational researchers to study a broad array of human disorders” and urged investigators to reach out to CBI staff and explore incorporating imaging into their research projects.

“This is the first advanced, fully research-dedicated scanner in Western New York,” explained Zivadinov. “It is not just going to acquire images — it is also going to do analysis of them.” During his remarks, Zivadinov discussed how the device will have a great impact on UB’s grant applications, and how it will assist in the recruitment of new faculty, as well.

‘Imagine the breakthroughs’

Several members of the Philips team journeyed to Buffalo for the symposium, including Head of Imaging Tammie Rupnik; MR Market Leader, Alan Huang, PhD; 3.0T Business Marketing Manager, Neil Palmer; and Head of Clinical Science Brian Welch, PhD.

Rupnik said that UB is one of the first research organizations to adopt this new Philips technology, which uses artificial intelligence and synthetic MRI. She shared her belief that the research conducted in Buffalo will change the world: “It starts in Buffalo, but this can have global impact.”

“This is incredibly important work,” Huang added. “Imagine the breakthroughs we can accomplish together.”

Palmer outlined the technical details of the MR 7700, which he said is able to analyze the entire body, not just the brain, and is designed to offer consistent results for researchers. “This is the James Webb Telescope for MR,” he explained.

Welch highlighted the ways in which the scanner offers a more comfortable experience for patients, and in much less time. “If we can scan faster, and reduce the need for repeated exams, the better we are going to do,” he stated.

The morning session concluded with a Zoom presentation on quantitative imaging biomarkers from John Gore, PhD, Hertha Ramsey Cress University Professor, Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University.

Imaging takes center stage

The afternoon session was titled “Framing the Future Together: UB's Imaging Community Takes Center Stage.” It was designed to “showcase the diversity of our imaging community,” explained CBI Technical Director Ferdinand Schweser, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology, Biomedical Engineering, and Radiology, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School.

In addition to an exploration of the CBI’s imaging tools; a look at the UB-IMAGINE Initiative; and a moderated “speed overview” of UB’s imaging landscape; the afternoon session included a roundtable discussion, “Force of Collaboration,” featuring Murphy, UB faculty, and Brian Welch, PhD, North American Clinical Science Leader, Philips. The symposium culminated with parallel events — a poster session in the CTRC atrium and a Center for Biomedical Imaging open house on the seventh floor of the CTRC.

More information on the Philips MR 7700 scanner will be shared on the CTSI website in the coming weeks. For additional details on the scanner as well as the symposium, see stories on the delivery of the scanner; on the scanner’s capabilities and use for studying health disparities; and what UB researchers need to know about the device.