Bench to Bedside
National Taiwan University Molecular Imaging Centre (NTU MIC)
NTU MIC is a young centre that hosts experts across different imaging modalities. MRI scientists in this centre have been developing state-of-the art technologies to solve clinical questions in oncology, cardiovascular and brain diseases. Owing to research-friendly environment of NTU hospital, the imaging technologies developed in house are readily admitted to patients for validation study. The validated technologies are guided through standard regulation procedures to become clinically available devices or diagnostics.
Under this framework, MRI research in NTU MIC has produced unique technologies including; wideband excitation to accelerate data acquisition; cryoprobes to increased signal-to-noise ratio; quantitative analysis software of cardiac structure and function for disease stratification and prognostication; automatic analysis of brain connectomics to facilitate biomarker discovery in brain diseases. In addition, the MRI scientists are responsible for maintaining an array of advanced MRI systems including three 3T human scanners, one 7T animal scanner, and one MEG. These research facilities form a platform on which researchers from different disciplines work together to investigate relevant questions from bench to bedside.
