7T magnetic resonance imaging system for basic, translational and clinical research

Active Research Project
Investigator(s): 
Yi Wang, Ph.D.
Award or Grant: 
1 S10 OD027039-01A1
Related Institute: 
Last Updated: 
June 7, 2022

Weill Medical Medicine (WCM) of Cornell University has requested High-End Instrumentation Grant Program support to purchase a state-of-the-art human whole-body seven tesla (7T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system as a Special Use Instrument (SUI; PAR-19-177). This 7T MRI is part of a major WCM strategic investment in crucial imaging infrastructure needed to advance basic, translational and clinical research. As ultrahigh field 7T offers a supreme signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for MRI studies and supreme signal for tissue magnetism studies, both of which increase with MRI field strength. 7T MRI is a vital research tool for our users to study devastating diseases of subtle pathologies in the vital brain and many other organs in the body. We request this SUI 7T MRI of the highest clinically available field strength for integrated biomedical research and clinical practice, where the clinical practice will help overcome the prohibitive cost of purchasing, installing, operating and maintaining a 7T MRI and, more importantly, will enhance translational and clinical research projects that are the foci of most of our users. WCM is a world leader in biomedical research, and its long-range goals include catching and curing diseases in early stages. This SUI 7T MRI, with exquisite tissue sensitivity to detect subtle changes at the early stage of disease progression and therapy response, will contribute significantly to our quest to understand and treat various diseases, including neurodegeneration, psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, stroke, osteoarthritis, inflammatory diseases, cancers and vascular diseases.

Weill Cornell Medicine
Department of Radiology
525 East 68th Street New York, NY 10065