Weekday Educational Course:
Tools and Tips for Mouse Imaging and Spectroscopy
Organizers: Carles Arús, Ph.D., and Klaas Nicolay, Ph.D.
 
Skill Level: Basic
 
Monday, 20 April 2009
14:00 - 16:00

OVERVIEW
This two hour course deals with the practicalities of MR imaging and spectroscopy of mice. A significant fraction of the biomedical MR research that is done worldwide involves studies on small animal models (predominantly mice). Working with such small animals often requires very specific solutions in terms of MR hardware (RF and gradient coils), shimming procedures, physiological monitoring approaches, etc. Topics to be covered are:
  • Anesthesia and physiological monitoring procedures;
  • Wild-type and genetically modified animal models;
  • High-resolution whole-body imaging;
  • Ultra-small voxel spectroscopy;
  • The use of whole-body MRI scanners for studies on mice;
  • The design of dedicated mouse RF coils.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES     
Upon completion of this case-based session, participants should be able to:
  • Explain the main acquisitions protocols that are used for in vivo high-resolution MR imaging and spectroscopy of alive mice;
  • Recognize the specific requirements of physiological monitoring of anesthetized mice;
  • Indicate the opportunities and the limitations of the use of clinical MR scanners for research on mice;
  • Recognize the strength and the limitations of the use of genetically modified animal models of human disease for translational research; and
  • Describe the main design concepts of RF coils for MR studies on mouse models.
 

Monday, 20 April 2009
     
14:00 Introduction Klaas Nicolay, Ph.D.
14:05 The Strength and Limitations of the Use of Transgenic and Knock-Out Animal Models Frederick H. Epstein, Ph.D.
14:25 High-Field Imaging of Small-Animal Brain Stephen J. Blackband, Ph.D.
14:45 Ultra Small Voxel Spectroscopy Rolf Gruetter, Ph.D.
15:05 Diffusion Imaging of Mouse Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle Gustav Strijkers, Ph.D.
15:25 The Use of Whole Body Scanners for Mouse MRI Studies Brian K. Rutt, Ph.D.
15:45 The Design of Dedicated RF Coils for Mouse MR Dennis W.J. Klomp, Ph.D.
16:00 Adjournment