The Mikkelsen Lab primarily conducts its research using the equipment and resources of the Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Center (CBIC).
We currently utilize the GE 3T human scanner at CBIC for our research. However, we have access to the full complement of CBIC equipment, as described fully below:
The Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Center (CBIC) houses hardware, software, and professional support for a range of imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and multi-spectral optical imaging. In addition, a fully supported cyclotron and radiochemistry facility is devoted to the synthesis of radiotracers for a wide range of applications. The entire facility is dedicated to biomedical imaging research and applications development.
GE 3T MR system
The GE 3T Discovery MR750 system is a top-of-the-line research product that features an array of high-performance accessories for high-resolution anatomical and functional imaging and includes multi-nuclear spectroscopy and fully advanced cardiac capabilities. A SensaVue fMRI stimulus delivery system features a battery of validated fMRI tasks that provides proven activation of the motor, visual, auditory, and language regions of the brain. A comprehensive set of specialized radiofrequency resonators has been built in-house for pre-clinical imaging. The small animal resonators greatly aid in translational research since the same pulse sequences can be applied directly to human subjects. The GE MR750 has 50 mT/m strength gradients with a slew rate of 200 T/m/s, a 60-cm bore and, 32 receiver channels. It also has GE’s exclusive 18 superconducting higher-order shim coils that would greatly benefit MRS studies. Research-developed pulse sequences are also supported. This MR system will be used to conduct the proposed research.
Siemens 3T MR system
The research-dedicated Siemens 3T MAGNETON Prisma system is a top-of-the-line “T-Class” product with moving table acquisition capability and a 60-cm bore. It features 32-channel RF receive operation with 102-channel plug-ins. In addition to the standard gradient set, it also features an 80 mT/m 800 T/m/s 36 cm diameter gradient accessory for animal imaging. This reduces magnetic susceptibility artifacts, specifically allowing echo-planar-based fMRI and DTI scans on smaller fields of view that cannot be accomplished using the clinical gradient system. The system includes a full multi-nuclear spectroscopy platform and advanced cardiac capability. A wide range of RF resonators was purchased for this system allowing for full body coverage, including a 32-channel head coil, spine array, body-phased arrays, and extremity arrays. Investigator-built resonators and pulse sequence development platforms are supported. A rear projection presentation system allows for video paradigm delivery in conjunction with event-related button press keypads. Software available for paradigm implementation includes EPrime, Paradigm, and MATLAB, which can be synchronized with the echo planar triggering signal from the scanner.
MR-guided focused ultrasound
The GE 3T Discovery MR750 system is equipped with two Insightec ExAblate MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) platforms: the ExAblate 4000 for thalamotomy and its research version with additional programming capabilities. The ExAblate transcranial system combines a focused ultrasound surgery delivery system and a conventional diagnostic 3T MRI scanner, providing a real-time therapy planning algorithm, thermal dosimetry, and closed-loop therapy control. The latter is achieved by utilizing the unique interactive MRI scan control features of the GE MRI system. The system utilizes a large phased-array transducer that utilizes 1024 transducer elements. InSightec’s numerous clinical studies have shown that large hemispherical phased arrays can deliver adequate energy through human skulls to coagulate brain tissue in vivo without excessive temperature elevation on the skull surface. The interface between the subject head and the transducer is filled with degassed water, which provides the acoustic coupling path.
PET/CT
The Siemens Biograph mCT 64-slice PET/CT tomograph is designed for oncological, neurological, and cardiac imaging and diagnosis. It consists of a multi-LSO-detector ring system with 3D acquisition and reconstruction and 81 image planes with a 16.2-cm axial field-of-view (FOV). It has a 78-cm gantry aperture, 70-cm transverse FOV, and 16.2-cm axial FOV with fast acquisition and reconstruction of 128 × 128 and 200 × 200 matrices. It has static, whole-body, and list-mode acquisition capabilities. The 500-lb capacity bed allows imaging of nearly all subjects. The 64-slice CT imaging capability consists of a full range of SPIRAL CT clinical applications. A microprocessor-controlled, low-noise high-frequency 80-kW X-ray generator is integrated with an automatic self-testing system for continuous monitoring of operation at an 80–140 kV high voltage setting.
Two major features of the unit are HD-PET and Cardiac PET/CT, which improve PET image quality at near-uniform resolution throughout the entire field of view. HD-PET provides sharp, distortion-free image quality from edge to edge with high resolution (2–3 mm) and superior contrast. The Cardiac PET/CT option provides both HeartView CT and PET cardiac gating acquisition/reconstruction. It also provides PET cardiac gated list mode acquisition.
Pre-clinical imaging
The small animal and specimen imaging facilities consist of a Siemens Inveon multi-modality PET/CT/SPECT system, Scanco VivaCT 40 and CT 35 ultra-high resolution CT systems, a Siemens CTI Focus 220 PET system, a Bruker Biospec 7T 30-cm bore MR system, and a Carestream In Vivo MS FX Pro multi-spectral imaging system. The scanners are immediately supported by adjacent space and staff for animal preparation, including surgical capabilities. In addition, our large-bore MRI imaging hardware has been modified in-house to accommodate small animal imaging, enhancing translational imaging capabilities.
Cyclotron and radiochemistry
The cyclotron facility consists of an EBCO TR-19 dual beam, negative ion (19 MeV proton and 9 MeV deuteron at <150 μAm) self-shielded cyclotron with eight different target ports. The cyclotron has the basic targetry for the production of 18F (>2Ci), 11C (1.5 Ci), and 13N (1.2 Ci and NH3)). In addition, the external beam-line was designed to support a semi-automated solid target system capable of making 124I and 89Zr. The cyclotron is located in the same building as the PET cameras and facilitates the use of short-lived isotopes such as 15O and 11C. The radiochemistry laboratory complex is equipped with three hot cells and two mini cells for automated or remote synthesis devices. The lab has two automated [11C]Methyiodide and methylation modules (GE TracerLab FXc pro and GE MicroLab) for the production of [11C]CO2, [11C]Methyliodide, and [11C]methyl triflate for the routine synthesis of IND PET radiotracers such as [11C]PIB, [11C]Raclopride, [11C]Arachidonic acid, [11C]Flumazenil and [11C]PK11195.
In addition, the lab is equipped with automated synthesis modules (Eckert & Ziegler) for the preparation of 68Ga-labeled peptides. The quality control lab is fully equipped to perform routine quality control testing for final drug product release for patient studies. The equipment includes GC, HPLC, an ITLC scanner, an MCA, and an automated well counter. In addition, the microbiology lab is set up to perform endotoxin and sterility testing, environmental monitoring, growth promotion testing, and media fills.