The miniature MRI for mice and rats

The University Hospital in Tübingen (UKT) has put an animal MRI scanner into operation that is specifically designed for mice and rats. According to hospital representatives, UKT now has one of the best-equipped laboratories for animal experiments in Europe.

The miniature MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner for mice and rats looks like its bigger brother that is used in hospitals. The only difference is its miniature size and the fact that the resolution of the images and measurement accuracy is 10-fold better than the system used for the examination of humans.

The 2.5-million-euro system in the imaging specialists’ laboratory in Tübingen is the first animal MRI scanner in the world, thus closing the gap between clinical and preclinical research. As it uses the same software protocols as clinical MRI scanners, it is possible to transfer the diagnostic methods and software programmes developed in research directly to clinical settings.

Source: University Hospital Tübingen