Purdue’s life sciences research to benefit from new MRI thanks to NIH grant

July 17, 2015  


WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University life sciences and College of Health and Human Sciences research will benefit from a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, which will be the first on campus used to focus on human sciences research. 

Purdue trustees on Friday (July 17) approved the $2.5 million project. The project was initiated by $2 million National Institute of Health grant acquired by Ulrike Dydak, an associate professor in the School of Health Sciences. Remaining funds will be provided by a variety of Purdue departments and programs as well as the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships.

“The MAGNETOM Prisma 3T MRI scanner will support research programs led by by 21 scientists from four colleges: College of Health and Human Sciences, Engineering, Science and Veterinary Medicine, as well as the Purdue Center for Cancer Research,” said Christine Ladisch, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences. “With this imaging capability, scientists will have a non-invasive look into the living human body to answer questions about neural function, morphology and biochemistry. Studies utilizing the MRI scanner include the effects of metal toxicity on the brain, causes and treatments related to speech disorders and hearing loss, and dietary effects in tissue and bone, just to name a few.”

Currently, Purdue researchers are using MRI scanners in Indianapolis through the IU School of Medicine, or off-campus at a local private imaging center coordinated with the Purdue College of Engineering. The on-campus location for the new MRI is still being considered and will be able to include room to accommodate additional imaging equipment as well.

The new MRI also will be a state-of-the-art scanner with the highest gradient strength currently on the market, making it capable of measuring biochemical and morphological differences in the body in much greater detail, said Dorothy Teegarden, professor and associate dean for research and graduate programs in the College of Health and Human Sciences.

“The hours will be more flexible, and the on-campus site will allow much greater accessibility for the research faculty and their studies,” she said. 

Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Source: Christine Ladisch, ladischc@purdue.edu 

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