Development and validation of novel MRI methods using preclinical models of disease.

About the Project

At Glasgow’s Experimental MRI Centre we are interested in pushing the boundaries of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and its application to biomedical research. We are developing and investigating several novel MRI methods, including diffusion weight arterial spin labelling, advanced velocity imaging, diffusion and metabolic imaging. These methods are then used to investigate a range of preclinical disease models, which include cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, cancer and stroke. Projects will have a secondary supervisor who is an expert in the particular disease model, giving the PhD student the chance to gain experience both within world-leading biomedical research groups, as well as in magnetic resonance imaging.  The MRI centre currently houses two 7Tesla MRI systems in a purpose designed building, which also contains surgical theatres, animal holding rooms and physics workshop.

Benefits and Training

• Learn both MRI physics and its application
• Strong benefit from established collaborations, providing opportunity to work with multidisciplinary teams of clinicians, physicists and biomedical scientists.
• Opportunity to participate and present at international conferences, attend summer schools and workshops on new developments in MRI and MRI processing techniques.
• Freedom to develop new skills via our graduate school courses and access to relevant undergraduate courses.

References

1. Samantha Paterson, Antoine Vallatos, Jean Rodgers and William M Holmes. “Application of diffusion weighted multiple boli ASL to a murine model of human African trypanosomiasis”. Nature Scientific Reports. 2023
2. Al-Mubarak, HF, Vallatos A, Holmes WM. “Evaluating potential of multi-parametric MRI using co-registered histology: Application to a mouse model of Glioblastoma.” Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 2022
3. Mohammed S. Alshuhri, Lindsay Gallagher, Lorraine M Work and William M. Holmes. “Direct imaging of glymphatic transport using H217O MRI”. Journal of Clinical Investigations Insights. 2021
4. Al-Mubarak, HF, Vallatos A, Holmes WM. “Impact of turbulence-induced asymmetric propagators on the accuracy of phase-contrast velocimetry”. Journal of Magnetic Resonance. 2021; ‏ 325
5. Mohammed S. Alshuhri, Lindsay Gallagher, Christopher McCabe and William M. Holmes. “Changes in CSF dynamics responsible for Intracranial pressure elevation after ischemia stroke in rats: A new mechanism for unexplained END”. Translational Stroke Research. 2020
6. A. Vallatos, H.F.I. Al-Mubarak, J. L. Birch, L. Galllagher, J. M. Mullin, L. Gilmour, W.M. Holmes† and A.J. Chalmers† .Quantitative histopathologic assessment of perfusion MRI as a marker of glioblastoma cell infiltration in and beyond the peritumoral edema region," Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.2018. In PRESS.
7. Vallatos A, Gilmor L, Chalmers A and Holmes WM. Multiple boli Arterial Spin Labelling for high signal-to-noise rodent brain imaging. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. 2017. 79. 1020-1030.
8. Merrifield GD, Mullin J, Gallagher L, Tucker C, Jansen MA, Denvir M, Holmes WM. Rapid and recoverable in vivo MRI of adult zebrafish at 7T. Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 2017; 37:9-15.