What is MRI?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is widely regarded to be as important for medical diagnosis as the discovery of x-rays. It is a technique that has been used since the beginning of the 1980s which uses magnetic fields and radiowaves. It:

• takes detailed images of the internal structure of a sample or a person, meaning that there is no exposure to x-rays or other damaging forms of radiation
• can generate thin-section images of any part of the human body from any angle and any direction and therefore is an important medical diagnostic technique

Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre

In 1991, the Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre was established at The University of Nottingham to house the University’s expanding Magnetic Resonance Group. 

University expertise

The Biomedical Imaging Priority Groups has key research themes encompassing: 

• single molecule biophysics
• imaging biomarkers
• developmental physiology
• artificial intelligence techniques for biomedical decision support
• MRI
• cell signalling
• cognitive neuroscience
• synthesis of contrast agents
• human physiology
• biomedical optics
• cell biophysics and membrane biology
• medical physics
• stem cells
• clinical veterinary medicine and imaging
• quorum testing

The University’s international campuses in Malaysia and China also provide the unique opportunity amongst UK universities for novel translational research in magnetic resonance (MR).

Biomedical Research Units

Researchers in MRI also work particularly closely with the University’s Medical School at the Queen’s Medical Centre. Their work also supports the work of the University’s three Biomedical Research Units (BRUs):

• National Biomedical Research Unit in Hearing
• Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre Biomedical Research Unit
• Nottingham Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit

National MRI scanning facility

The University has the only 7 Tesla national facility in the UK and one of less than 40 worldwide.

Key academic leads

• Academic Champion: Professor Peter Morris, School of Physics and Astronomy
• Business Development Executive: Dr Peter Milligan

Other key academics

• Dr Stephanie Allen, School of Pharmacy
• Professor Dorothee Auer, School of Clinical Sciences
• Dr David Gardner, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science
• Dr Jon Garibaldi, School of Computer Science 
• Professor Penny Gowland, School of Physics and Astronomy
• Professor Ian Hall, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Professor Steve Hill, School of Biomedical Sciences 
• Professor Stephen Jackson, School of Psychology
• Professor Ed Lester, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering 
• Professor Ian MacDonald, School of Biomedical Sciences
• Professor Steve Morgan, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering 
• Professor Paul O’Shea, School of Biology
• Professor Alan Perkins, School of Clinical Sciences
• Dr Felicity Rose, School of Pharmacy
• Dr Kevin Sinclair, School of Biosciences
• Professor Neil Thomas, School of Chemistry
• Professor Paul Williams, School of Molecular Medical Sciences