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Biophotonics
Through a multi-million investment, the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde have combined to create a centre of world excellence in biophotonics - applied biological imaging. The pharmaceutical industry can now benefit from the high levels of expertise and technology in biological imaging through PharmaLinks.
Physicists at the Institute of Photonics, University of Strathclyde have led the world in the development of ultra-short pulse lasers for multiphoton imaging, which is becoming the accepted methodology for high resolution, 3-dimensional imaging of living tissues. The new Centre for Biophotonics brings together high level expertise in optical technology and biomedical science. The facility gives researchers access to cutting edge imaging technology, in an environment created for biological experiments.
Neuroimaging
The West Of Scotland Neuroimaging Research Group is a multidisciplinary department within the Institute of Neurological sciences at Glasgow University. It undertakes research into the anatomy and function of the human brain using SPECT, MRI, and fMRI.
SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) is a nuclear medicine technique used to image brain function. A slightly radioactive tracer is injected into the body and taken up in the brain. Images are produced representing the way the brain has functioned in taking up and using the tracer.
The SPECT scanner at the Institute of Neurological Sciences is used for diagnosis and patient monitoring in both neurology and psychiatry, including neurological diseases (dementias), epilepsy, head trauma, neoplasms, and cerebrovascular diseases.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses a strong magnet and radiofrequency waves to produce high quality images of neuroanatomy and disease processes. It is an application of NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). MRI is primarily used as a technique for producing anatomical images but can also give information on the physical - chemical state of tissues, flow diffusion and motion information.
MRS (Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy) is a rapidly developing technique for measuring chemicals within the brain without removing tissue or blood samples. It is provided both as a clinical service and as a research tool at the Institute of Neurological Sciences. Recent clinical research has focussed on the metabolic derangements associated with acute and chronic head injury, brain tumours and their response to therapy, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
FMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a new use of existing MRI technology. It is used to visualise brain function by visualising changes in chemical composition of brain areas or changes in the flow of fluids that occur over timespans of seconds to minutes. In the brain, blood oxygen level is related to neural activity, so fMRI can aid finding out what the brain is doing when subjects perform specific tasks, or are exposed to specific stimuli.
A 7T MRI/MRS facility at the Garscube Estate of Glasgow University serves as a national resource for Scotland. It has the advantage of being a non-invasive imaging technique with resolutions down to 40 microns and permitting serial studies to be performed on the living animal. The primary use of the facility will be in biomedical research applications involving the in vivo imaging of small animals but the high image resolutions and multiplicity of parameters measurable by the system also have applications in the plant, materials, and food sciences, as well as for the study of some industrial process dynamics.
Neuro imaging in Glasgow and Edinburgh is being aided by the new Sakler Institute of Psychological Research.
PharmaLinks
The Institute of Photonics, University of Strathclyde
The Centre for Biophotonics
SPECT
MRI
MRS
FMRI
7T MRI/MRS
Sakler Institute of Psychological Research
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