PHENIQS – Physics and digital technologies for quantitative imaging of the central nervous system

Research Works

Coordinator : Guillaume DUHAMEL

Our scientific objective is the investigation of novel MRI contrast mechanisms and advanced signal modelling through the development of digital technologies for quantitative imaging of central nervous system biomarkers.

A particular focus is made to Iron and Myelin, which have been suggested as important biomarkers for neurological disorders. Their assessment and characterization in vivo are of the upmost importance but MRI measurement of individual myelin and iron concentration in different brain structures is challenging because it requires highly specific, quantitative and high resolution techniques.

Our research is conducted within two main projects (see below): Inhomogeneous Magnetization Transfer (ihMT) and fast quantitative MRI

Members

Guillaume Duhamel, PhD        Olivier Girard, PhD

 Ludovic de Rochefort, PhD     Arnaud le Troter, PhD

Lucas Soustelle, PhD     Evgenios Kornaropoulos, PhD

Swetali Nimje, PhD Student       Timothy Anderson, PhD Student

Scientific Strategies

• MR signal and contrast modelling: physics/quantum/spin model, biophysical tissue model
• Tissue specific imaging: myelin/macromolecules (ihMT/qMT) & Iron (QSM)
• Understanding new contrast mechanisms and relationship with biophysical tissue properties and components: bridging the gap between NMR and MRI, UHF MRI
• Validation of quantitative MR biomarker candidates: use of reference histology techniques

Methods & Developments

• MRI sequence prototyping and optimization for brain and spinal cord
• Acceleration, bias-correction and artefact-reduction methods for high-res. quantitative imaging
• Ultra-high field MR physics
• Optimization of image reconstruction and post-processing with state-of-the-art numerical tools (including machine learning, AI, etc.)
• Validation of biophysical models describing multicontrast MRI data
• Generation of high resolution multimodal quantitative templates
• Dissemination of validated tools (sequence, processing) to other research sites to broaden applications
• Classification tools based on innovative neuroimaging biomarkers (healthy/disease)
• Automatic image processing and reporting tools for computer aided diagnosis
• Clinical ready quantitative imaging & synthetic MRI

Formation/Teaching/ Job opportunities

• A formation on MRI Physics open to PhD students [ED352] is provided by the PHENIQS team: Modalities and Program

• Physics Master/Engineer students can contact the PHENIQS team for internship opportunities

• A post-doctoral position is open “Quantitative imaging of lipid membranes with ihMT (qihMT): a new myelin MRI biomarker”