EPFL Chemistry 3rd Year BSc Students Gain In-Depth Insight into Biomedical Imaging
The student visit, which took place on May 17th, was organized as part of the “Advanced NMR & Imaging” course taught by Prof. Lyndon Emsley, from the Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering – ISIC, LMR lab, along with Doctoral Assistant Daria Torodii.
The primary objective of the visit was to expose the students to the significance and fundamental aspects of biomedical imaging and spectroscopy, ranging from macro to micro scale, including techniques such as MRI, MRS, PET, and microscopy.
The visit's program
The visit commenced with a warm welcome and introduction by Dr. Pina Marziliano, the Executive Director of CIBM. The students then explored the center’s infrastructure and engaged in a series of insightful presentations and demonstrations conducted by experts from the CIBM MRI EPFL Animal Imaging and Technology Section.
Dr. Daniel Wenz led the students through a tour of the RF technology laboratory, where they were able to visualize RF coils and understand the crucial role of coil geometries in optimizing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for different imaging requirements.
Dr. Antonia Kaiser provided a demonstration of 7T MRI imaging, showcasing both object imaging and in vivo measurements where the students acquired and interpreted images using various pulse sequences such as T1, T2, diffusion, and MRS. They observed the implementation of these sequences and engaged in discussions about acquisition parameters, allowing them to connect their theoretical knowledge from class to real-world applications.
The students also had the opportunity to visit the 14.1T MRI preparation room, guided by Dr. Stefanita Mitrea. Moreover, they had the opportunity to see the 14.1T MRI and Pet scanning unit of the Animal Imaging facility.
Additionally, Dr. Katarzyna Pierzchala, presented the work done at the neurochemistry laboratory further emphasizing the diverse and collaborative research efforts at CIBM.
This visit highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of research conducted at CIBM, bridging the fields of chemistry, veterinary medicine, and neuroscience.
With the aim of bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world research applications, the visit provided an immersive platform for students to delve deeper into the opportunities for interdisciplinary work offered by CIBM.
