It moreover stands for q-space.<\/em> The q-space is the space in which we acquire data in diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), which is one of our research foci. With DWI, we measure water diffusion in tissue in vivo. The measurement of diffusion allows us drawing conclusions about tissue structure or tissue integrity and is used clinically, for example, in stroke diagnostics and in the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma. Our research focuses on the measurement of anisotropic diffusion (diffusion tensor imaging), non-Gaussian diffusion processes (e.g., kurtosis imaging, IVIM imaging), determination of tissue microstructure (e.g., diffusion pore imaging), and the development of high-gradient methods (e.g., dedicated breast gradients, G > 1 T\/m). To enable quantitative evaluation, suitable validation, reference, and calibration objects, so-called phantoms, are also being developed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another focus is on quantitative<\/em> susceptibility mapping (QSM). Different biological tissues differ in their magnetic susceptibilities, which can be measured and quantified using suitable MRI techniques. This technique can be used, for example, to differentiate between calcification and hemorrhage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moreover, we work on quantifying<\/em> tissue stiffness and further elastography properties within the CRC 1540<\/a> “Exploring brain meachnics” using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE<\/a>). MRE allows one e.g. to assess mechanical properties of the developing brain and of brain malformations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We always offer exciting Bachelor, Master, and PhD topics. If you are interested, please send an email to frederik.laun@uk-erlangen.de.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Magnetic susceptibility has long been regarded as a nuisance factor in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that leads to artifacts. Using modern techniques such as susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) or quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), the effect of magnetic susceptibility on MR phase maps can be used to generate useful contrasts and to calculate the distribution of magnetic susceptibility. Changes in magnetic susceptibility allow indirect conclusions regarding the spatial distribution of iron, myelin or the calcium content in the brain, which can be altered in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. In the human body outside the brain, sources of susceptibility such as calcifications, bleedings or foreign bodies can be easily visualized using these methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are working on enabling the use of QSM and SWI in various anatomical regions, such as the brain, prostate, breast and kidneys, using new deep learning reconstruction methods and improving image quality. In addition, we support the use of QSM and SWI in patient studies in which we determine the distribution of magnetic susceptibility in cooperation with clinical partners. The aim here is to gain insights into the value of these techniques and potentially enable better diagnostics. Among other things, we are focusing on Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy and prostate cancer patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\nProject group \u201cMR Susceptibility Imaging” (headed by Jannis Hanspach<\/a>)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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