Imaging
Today, imaging technologies such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are routinely used in clinical practice. They also form an integral part of research, diagnostics and treatment. Our ability to visualize internal organs has always been closely linked with developments in the field of medical research. Imaging technologies are key to enhancing our theoretical and practical knowledge in the biomedical sciences and are important tools in fast-moving research fields.
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Imaging technologies at Charité
At Charité, researchers have access to a wide range of imaging technologies. This provides optimal conditions for research (including the development of devices and protocols), some of which is conducted in collaboration with the device manufacturers. Equipped to the highest standard, Charité is able to support nearly every step of the imaging value chain, promote research excellence and support research partnerships. This commitment to excellence has made Charité a pioneer in the field of imaging, both nationally and internationally.
Berlin Experimental Radionuclide Imaging Center (BERIC)
Thanks to BERIC (one of the Faculty’s Core Facilities) and the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Campus Virchow-Klinikum is unique in the Berlin-Brandenburg area, offering the full spectrum of hybrid imaging technologies (with radiopharmaceuticals) used in preclinical animal research.
Partly funded via the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the state of Berlin’s ‘Zukunftsfond’ (Future Fund), BERIC boasts a modern high-resolution SPECT/CT small animal imaging system (nanoSPECT/CT plus, Bioscan/Mediso) and a state-of-the-art small animal PET/CT scanner (nanoScan PET/CT, Mediso). SPECT and PET are highly sensitive molecular imaging techniques which use radioactively labeled tracer substances. SPECT and PET enable the non-invasive, quantitative investigation of physiological and pathological processes in vivo. Both techniques are used in the diagnosis of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases (including brain perfusion scans), inflammatory diseases and metabolic disease such as metabolic bone disease. When used in combination with CT scanning, these techniques also offer the option of high-resolution morphological imaging with or without contrast enhancement. There is also access to a small animal 3T MRI scanner (PMC).
Services on offer include:
- Small animal PET, SPECT, CT and MRI scans
- Advice on study design, the selection and manufacture of tracers, and proposals involving animal research
- Image acquisition, data analysis and kinetic modeling, biostatistics
- Radio-labeling of ligands, evaluation of tracers in cell culture
- Management and care of radioactive mice and rats
- CAM assay
Equipment
- Small animal SPECT/CT
- Small animal PET/CT
- Gamma counters
- Cell culture rooms and rooms for the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals
- Management and care of research animals
- Access to small animal 3T MRI
Contact
+49 30 450 657 013
Experimental MRTs
The 7T Exp MRI lab division provides two ultra-high field small animal MRI scanner (Bruker Corp.) for preclinical research purchased by the Center for Stroke Research CSB (Device 1) and the Cluster of Excellence NeuroCure (Device 2) with the aim of creating an experimental platform for small animal imaging. The facilities service projects in the areas of experimental neuroimaging and molecular imaging, but projects in other fields of research are explicitly encouraged.
The Core Facility is available to all public research institutions and interested industrial partners.
Next to the common 1H magnetic resonance imaging we offer hardware and expertise in the field of 19F MRI. We provide state of the art technology including two cryogenically cooled probeheads (1H and 19F) for very sensitive imaging (high resolution imaging, 1H-localized spectroscopy, DTI).
7T Experimental MRI services on offer include:
- Advice on MRI - study design and selection of suitable device
- Use of standard sequences and sequence modifications
- Measurements
- Measurements under guidance/supervision
- Training to enable independent use of 7T MRIs
- Advice on appropriate image analysis and comprehensive data analysis
Equipment
- BioSpec 70/20 USR (installation 08/2013) Bruker Software Paravision 6.0.1
- Numerous 1H volume resonators (20 mm – 86 mm)
- 1H mouse and rat head surface coils (SUC), and flexible SUCs
- 1H/19F volume resonators (40 mm, 72 mm) & 19F SUCs
- 1H MRI CryoProbe & 1H/19F CryoProbe
- Small Animal Monitoring System
Contact
Susanne Mueller (Laboratory Manager)
Dr. Philipp Böhm-Sturm (Scientific management)
+49 30 450 560 129
PET-MR
Imaging technologies are gaining increasing prominence and significance within the field of research. In addition to offering a non-invasive means of collecting both anatomical and functional information on disease processes, imaging technologies also enable researchers to track the course of a disease over time and observe the effects of particular treatments. In short, imaging technologies can provide the knowledge needed to develop new personalized treatment strategies. PET-MR imaging is the first imaging technology to allow the simultaneous acquisition of both structural and functional data. By combining PET imaging with MRI, the technology opens new opportunities within the field of medical research.
Services on offer at the CWW include:
- MR imaging using a 3T MRI scanner
- All common sequences for functional and structural MRI
- MR-compatible 64-channel EEG and transcranial electrical stimulation
- Optimization of MR and PET protocols
- Implementation of new technologies for MRI and PET
- Dynamic and whole-body PET imaging
- Radionuclide biodistribution studies and kinetic modeling
- Molecular imaging for radiation therapy and stereotactic surgery planning
Equipment
- PET-MR hybrid imaging system
- MRI-compatible system for automated blood-sampling to measure arterial input function in dynamic PET studies to quantify physiological parameters (kinetic modeling)
- MRI coils for (nearly) all applications
- Complete system for functional MRI studies (including eye tracking and peripheral physiological monitoring)
- Respiratory and cardiac (ECG-based) triggering for PET and MRI
- MRI-compatible anesthesia and monitoring system
- Laser system for radiotherapy planning
Contact
Prof. Dr. Hamm / Prof. Dr. Brenner
+49 30 450 557 002 / +49 30 450 527 051
Preclinical MRI Center (PMC)
The center offers a modern (date of manufacture 2015) 3T Benchtop MRI (MRsolutions MRS 3017) which has a high-performance gradient system and a comprehensive selection of coils. The system is suitable for both cardiac and non-cardiac imaging studies in mice and rats and is compatible with multinuclear imaging (fluorine, xenon, etc.) The center has a proven track record and expertise in study planning (study design, applications for animal-based research etc.) and conduct (animal management and care, image acquisition, image analysis).
Services on offer at the CWW include:
- Advice on the study planning and application stages of animal research-based projects
- Image acquisition
- Data analysis
- Support for users during image acquisition
- Full service for preclinical MRI studies including study design, application for animal research-based research, MRI imaging, data backup, data analysis
Equipment
- 3T Benchtop MRI systems (MRsolutions MRS 3017)
Contact
Dr. Sarah Jeuthe und PD Dr. Daniel Messroghli
+49 30 459 318 25
Berlin Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (BCAN)
Offering an important neuroimaging research infrastructure in the heart of Berlin, the Berlin Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (BCAN) is located 300 m from Berlin’s main train station and 500 m from the Brandenburg Gate. The BCAN has two state-of-the-art Siemens 32 channel 3T MRI systems for use in cognitive, neurological and psychiatric experiments. The center also has MRI-compatible EEG and TMS systems as well as additional rooms for EEG, TMS and psychophysics.
Services on offer at the BCAN include:
- MR imaging using 3T MRI scanners
- All commonly used sequences for functional and structural MRIs
- MRI-compatible 64 channel EEG and transcranial electrical stimulation
- Behavioral laboratory
- Optimization of MR protocols
- Implementation of new technologies
Equipment
- 2x Siemens TIM Trio 3T MRI Scanners Computer and software for stimulus presentation and measuring of peripheral physiological signals which is synchronized with MR data acquisition
- MRI-compatible stimulus presentation
- MR-compatible psychological (physiological?) recording devices
Contact
+49 30 450 539 352
MRI for stroke
Every day, the CSB (Center for Stroke Research Berlin) neuroradiology unit examines people presenting with acute neurological symptoms in order to identify instances of hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke and their associated pathophysiologies. This type of examination aims to confirm the presence or absence of both acute and existing lesions and provide evidence of underlying vascular pathology. In the area of acute stroke diagnosis, we are developing new examination protocols, for instance to assess bleeding activity or the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. A new way of analyzing BOLD (Blood-oxygen-level-dependent imaging) response measurements recently enabled us to introduce a new, non-contrast agent-based method for measuring cerebral perfusion.
MRI stroke services on offer include:
- Examination of test subjects and study participants in IITs and RCTs
- Cerebral MRIs in persons with cardiac pacemakers
- MRI-based screening for interventional clinical trials involving acute stroke patients and for secondary prevention
- Dementia diagnosis for patients attending the memory clinic and for patients enrolled in phase II & phase III RCTs
- Pre- and post-interventional diffusion measurements as part of quality control following endovascular procedures
- Development of training materials for RCTs, e.g. for the new, EU-funded WAKE-UP phase II clinical trial
Equipment
- Siemens 3T MRT PRISMA fit
- Measurement coils for examinations involving the brain, eyes and orbits, and blood vessels of the head and neck
- Measurement coils for spinal MRIs
- Cardiac MRI scanner
- Respiratory and cardiac (ECG-based) triggering
- MRI-compatible anesthesia and monitoring system
- Collaboration with sequence developers at the MPI in Leipzig and the Medical Physics Unit at the University Medical Center in Freiburg.
- Facilities for functional MRI studies
- Imaging phantoms for quality assurance in multicenter studies
Contact
+49 30 450 560 662
Ultrahigh Field MRI
The Berlin Ultrahigh Field Facility (B.U.F.F.) builds on existing collaborations with our partners from Charité, the Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), the National Metrology Institute of Germany (PTB), Siemens Healthcare, Bruker Biospin and other (inter)national institutions. Our research focuses on the development of MR technology and centers around new methods for mapping anatomical and morphological features, as well as microstructure, function, physiology and metabolism. Aimed at characterizing (patho)physiological and biophysical processes, these efforts promote the transfer of basic research knowledge into (pre)clinical trials and vice versa. In order to demonstrate the levels of anatomical detail and spatial resolution achieved with MRI imaging, we have provided examples of in vivo phenotyping of mice and in vivo imaging of humans.
Ultrahigh Field MRI services on offer include:
Service
The B.U.F.F. team is constantly looking for new colleagues who share our dedication to promoting the value and capacity of non-invasive imaging modalities. We are happy to consider partnerships that are built on fairness and which aim to promote multidisciplinary and translational research by effecting change through outstanding imaging science and by securing non-university funding.
Equipment
- Whole-body MRI scanner for humans (7.0 T & 3.0 T)
- Small animal (9.4 T) MRI scanner
- S1 certified laboratory
- Facilities meeting all relevant technical requirements for the conduct of clinical trials
Contact