Magnetic Resonance
Main aims and background:
The Division of MR Physics evolved out of an interdisciplinary research group, that has been active in high field MRI and MRS since 1989. Headed by Professor Ewald Moser, the scientific focus is on the development of dedicated hardware (see RF-Lab), measurement and data processing techniques in functional MRI, multi-nuclear spectroscopy and metabolism, and microimaging (see below), as well as neuroscientific and clinical applications with numerous partners in Austria and abroad (see list of projects). To this end, Professor Moser holds an adjunct position in „Physics in Psychiatry“ at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Medical Centre, Philadelphia, PA (USA) since 2004.
The research focus of the division MR-physics of the Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, located at the MR Center of Excellence, encompasses:
- Functional Neuroimaging
Functional MRI of the brain employs intrinsic contrast mechanisms to highlight changes in brain activity, based on blood flow, perfusion and blood-oxygen level (BOLD). However, as signal changes are small and masked by physiological or technical artifacts, dedicated preprocessing strategies are required. In addition, hybrid methods, combining fmri with EEG, MEG, PET or TMS are currently explored. (Moser Lab; Windischberger Lab) - High-performance computing
The HPC group, fusing statistical algorithms and parallel computation, develops and implements statistical methods for MR data analysis - but also for large high-dimensional and complex data sets more generally - with an emphasis on robust as well as exploratory methods. - Microimaging
Non-invasive MR imaging at high spatial resolution, detection of micro-anatomical and -chemical changes in pathologic tissues, biological and bio-compatible materials. - Radio-Frequency Lab
We develop dedicated radio frequency coils for ultra-high field MR imaging & spectroscopy and specialize in 3D electromagnetic simulations & simulation post- processing. - Spectroscopy & Metabolism
Dynamic multi-nuclear in-vivo NMR spectroscopy methods and applictions, and MR imaging for metabolic studies - MR Simulation Lab
Development and application of advanced simulation methods to answer scientific questions related to magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy
The MR Centre of Excellence, jointly founded by the departments of Medical Physics and Radiodiagnostics, was opened in June 2003. Within a decade the relatively small group developed into a renowned scientific institution with a staff of over 50 carrying out numerous successful projects. Headed by Prof. Ewald Moser, physicist, and Prof. Siegfried Trattnig, radiologist, the MR Centre of Excellence aims to combine Europe's leading competence in methodological-technical development in the high-field MR area using new approaches in medicine with modern diagnosis. Today magnetic resonance imaging is seen as the driving force behind modern diagnosis in medicine, in particular due to its diverse applications and, contrary to computed tomography, to the non-existing radiation exposure. In order to be able to continue to partake in the front edge of world-wide research, the centre successfully installed a 7 Tesla MR scanner in 2008, running basic research and clinical studies at 3T (TIM Trio and Prisma, to be installed in 2015) and 7T, provided and supported by Siemens Medical Solutions (Erlangen, Germany).
Scientific Director: Maxim Zaitsev, PhD (maxim.zaitsev@meduniwien.ac.at)
Medical Director: Siegfried Trattnig, MD
Contact:
Medical University of Vienna
BT 32, Lazarettgasse 14
1090 Vienna, Austria
Phone +43 (0)1 40400-17710
E-Mail: hochfeld-mr@meduniwien.ac.at
Scientific Education (MSc, PhD):
Master theses may be performed in collaboration with the University of Vienna or the University of Technology, Vienna, AT, as well as PhD projects in Medical Physics at MUV or in collaboration with any other university in Austria or the EU (selected list of MSc and PhD theses). Scientific achievements are closely related to top end MSc and PhD training in our laboratories, supported by excellent mechanics and electronics workshops and the High Performance Computing team.