Getting Started FAQ


How do I start doing research using the GE Discovery MR750 3T full body MRI system or the Bruker Biospec 7T small animal MRI system at the Purdue MRI Facility?

Conducting official research on the 3T or 7T MRI system requires project authorization from a Facility Director or the Manager of Operations. The authorization process requires the following:

  1. The PI typically is member of the Purdue Faculty or Staff. External companies can be approved, however.
  2. The proposed project must have an appropriate IRB or PACUC approval (if necessary).
  3. An account number must be provided within iLab to which imaging time expenses may be charged.

Please contact Dr. Gregory Tamer Jr. (gtamer@purdue.edu) for more information.


What MR research is capable with the 3T and 7T MRI systems?

The 3T system can perform human and small to medium-sized animal structural MR scanning, functional neuroimaging brain scanning, diffusion tensor imaging, susceptibility weighted imaging, spectroscopy, and so forth. Research pulse sequences can be installed on the GE system, new equipment can possibly be obtained, etc. to help meet your research needs.

The 7T system can perform small animal and material structural MR scanning, diffusion tensor imaging, susceptibility weighted imaging, spectroscopy, and so forth. Research pulse sequences can be installed on the Bruker system and new equipment can possibly be obtained, etc. to help meet your research needs.

Please contact Dr. Gregory Tamer Jr. (gtamer@purdue.edu) for more information.


I am new to MR research. How can the Facility help me start the learning process?

Facility personnel is available to guide you through the MR experiment process and point you in the direction of learning materials, imaging software, and MR safety information. We can also meet with you to answer any questions you may have prior to starting.

We can help with (1) realizing how MR scanning with the GE 3T MRI system or the Bruker 7T small animal MRI system can help your research, (2) designing the experiment, (3) creating and establishing scanning protocol that can be saved on the MRI system, (4) conducting the MR experiments and/or training you how to run the system, (5) handling and storing the data, and (6) analyzing and interpreting the data.

Our goal is to teach you to fish rather than give you the fish.

Please contact Dr. Gregory Tamer Jr. (gtamer@purdue.edu) for more information.


How do I find someone to operate the 3T and/or 7T MRI system(s) for my research?

Primary Operators (typically graduate students, faculty, staff, and even external MR techs) have been trained to operate the system. A list of available primary operators is available upon request.

Please contact Dr. Gregory Tamer Jr. (gtamer@purdue.edu) for more information.


Can I (or my student/post-doc) be trained to operate one or both of the 3T and 7T MRI systems?

YES! Please examine the Scanning Approval Process Decription and the Scan Approval Checklist.

Please contact Dr. Gregory Tamer Jr. (gtamer@purdue.edu) for more information.

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