Our Facilities
We have a wide range of imaging facilities and expertise. The University facilities are all dedicated for full-time research investigation.
About our facilities
We undertake research in acute medical cases and oncology in facilities operated by Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals.
For illustrations of how we are using these technologies read about our research themes and projects.
We undertake studies driven by our own researchers who lead and contribute to international research programmes and are involved in clinical trials with imaging endpoints.
We are always keen to develop new collaborations and avenues for our research, whether with academic or industrial partners. To find out how you can get involved, contact us.
Clinical MRI facilities
The Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre conducts research-driven imaging studies using our two Philips 3 Tesla clinical scanners.
The Magnetic Resonance (MR) physics team have strong collaborations with Philips medical systems. This allows our team to:
- programme novel MR acquisition and processing methods
- offer flexibility beyond traditional clinical imaging
From June 2012 the Newcastle MR Centre has engaged 115 studies, spanning basic and clinical research and commercial trial activity.
Methodology developed by the MR physics team is being used as primary or secondary clinical endpoints in three National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme (EME) trials. Newcastle lead two of the trials and Manchester is leading the third.
A Stroke Association/British Heart Foundation funded clinical trial was led by Kings College, London.
The MR Physics Team is also a co-ordinating imaging for two multi-national trials. These trials are:
- the Jain Foundation study of Dysferlinopathy
- an EU FP7 study and clinical trial in brain iron storage diseases, “TIRCON”
PET Tracer production unit
We have radiochemistry and tracer production facilities that offer multi-step systems including:
- dedicated research hot cells
- ORA Neptis
- analytical and semi preperative HPLC
- radio TLC
- GE Typhoon auto radiography
- very flexible radiosynthetic and analytical facility
- range of [18F] fluoride chemistries possible
- small molecule and biomacromolecule targets
Clean Room
- Comecer hotcells
- 2 x grade C systhesis cells (manufactured on ORA neptis)
- grade A dispensing (argo-T dispenser)
- sartorius filter integrity tester
Tracer Manufacturing
- [18F]DPA 714
- [18F]FEOBV
- [18F]FET
Pre-clinical MRI facilities
We perform pre-clinical MRI studies using a 7T Varian DirectDrive horizontal bore scanner.
The system has a bore size of 21cm suitable for studies in rodents. It is equipped with a wide range of MR coils, full anaesthesia and monitoring system.
We have capabilities for both imaging and metabolic studies using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). This includes non-proton measurements where we have substantial expertise.
Our imaging protocols span conventional methods through to novel sequence development and optimisation.
CT imaging is also now available in Newcastle. The high-resolution computed tomography system has now become an important tool in biological research enabling non-invasive inspection of anatomical changes in small animals. The advantages of CT include:
- high-spatial resolution
- high sensitivity to bone and lung
- short scan time and ultra-low radiation dose
In material sciences, CT represents 3D microscopy. This is where very fine scale (9 micron) internal structures are imaged non-destructively, without the need for staining or slicing.
Fluorescence and Optical Techniques
IVIS spectrum is a 3D optical imaging system. It allows non-invasive, real-time longitudinal monitoring of disease progression and therapeutic responses.
High efficiency filters and spectral un-mixing algorithms provide capacity to perform dual bioluminescent and fluorescent imaging of reporters across 400-900 nm wavelength regions.