Optimization of image acquisition protocols in Magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) in oncology and neurology applications

Neuroimaging is an essential component of clinical and preclinical research in the field of neuro-oncology, especially for in vivo validation activities. It enables the detection of brain tumors prior to the start of a treatment, the planning of radio- or chemo-therapies, and the assessment of efficacy of treatments. Previous research projects of the Norlux NeuroOncology laboratory of LIH have extensively used this technology through a collaboration with the University of Bergen, Norway, resulting in several publications in high impact factor journals (Proc Nat/ Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Mar 1;108(9):3749-54; Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2014 sep Acta Neuropathol. 2015 Jan)

In March 2015, the management of LIH approved a project for the establishment of a national platform for Small Animal In Vivo Imaging in Luxembourg. The purpose of this project, code name AnimiX, includes the setup of a small animal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) platform, intended for use in preclinical validation and experimental research projects. The major field of application will be in neuro-oncology (tumor detection, assessment of treatment efficacy, physiological and metabolic studies), however applications in other areas are also possible (oncology, cardio-vascular research and neuro-degenerative diseases). This project is led by Dr. Olivier Keunen, research engineer in the Norlux Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, headed by Prof. Simone Niclou. The present collaboration agreement with MRS is to be seen in the framework of this project.

In this context, the key activities of the collaboration agreement include:
1.The deployment and operation of a newly acquired small animal Magnetic Resonance Imaging 3T instrument
2.The development of procedures and protocols for the operation and use of the platform (operating rules, user guides, pictures archiving and communication solutions, data analysis tools, booking system...)
3. The establishment of a quality assurance program
4. The establishment and optimization of base protocols in selected application areas, with a focus on neuro-oncology and neuro-degenerative diseases The training and support of end users of the platform
5. The provision of assisted use for the acquisition and analysis of imaging data
6. The development of pulse sequences for the needs of the research activities
7. The testing of new technological developments for the platform