The Geneva University Hospital (HUG) Radiology Department and the CIBM celebrated a major milestone in biomedical imaging with the inauguration of the MAGNETOM Cima.X high-gradient MRI at HUG.
This state-of-the-art scanner, one of the first ultra-high-gradient MRIs (200 mT/m) installed in Switzerland, represents a leap forward for both clinical applications and translational research. Shared between the departments of Radiology, Neuroradiology, and the CIBM, it strengthens Geneva’s position as a hub for world-class imaging and innovation.
A Major Technological Step Forward
Opening the symposium, Prof. Pierre-Alexandre Poletti, Head of the Radiology Department, emphasized the significance of this installation within the modernization of the HUG imaging infrastructure:
“The Cima.X is one of the first 200 millitesla-per-meter MRIs installed in Switzerland. Thanks to its powerful gradients, it enables faster, more precise, and more sensitive acquisitions — clearer visualization of fine brain structures, nerves, cartilage, and tendons, and improved diffusion imaging for lesion characterization. This system brings science and clinical practice even closer together, reinforcing our research partnerships across the Lémanic Arc.”
He expressed gratitude to the many teams and institutions involved:
“This acquisition would not have been possible without the trust and support of the HUG leadership and our partners at CIBM, Prof. Pina Marziliano and Prof. Frédéric Grouiller, whose contributions were essential to realizing this ambitious project.”
A Shared Commitment to Innovation
Prof. Christopher Graf, Deputy Medical Director at HUG, highlighted the broader institutional vision behind this technological achievement:
“This MRI is among the very few ultra-high-gradient systems worldwide, fewer than a dozen to date, and its arrival here marks a major step in our collective commitment to medical innovation and quality of care. It symbolizes our ambition to make HUG a hospital oriented toward the future, equipped with the best tools to serve every patient.”
He also underlined the long-standing collaboration between HUG and CIBM:
“This inauguration reminds us of the strong link uniting our institution with CIBM for more than twenty years, where clinical radiology and research continuously intersect to advance patient care.”
CIBM’s Vision: Collaboration at the Heart of Discovery
In her address, Prof. Pina Marziliano, Executive Director of CIBM, reflected on the collaborative spirit that made this achievement possible:
“The CIBM stands at the forefront of medical and scientific progress, uniting five partner institutions, EPFL, UNIL, UNIGE, CHUV, and HUG, to push the boundaries of how we visualize, understand, and treat the human body. Our vision, ‘Together, go beyond,’ reflects our belief that sharing knowledge amplifies impact.”
She also expressed gratitude to the many contributors behind the successful upgrade from PrismaFit to Cima.X:
“This milestone was made possible thanks to the dedication of our teams across Geneva and our long-standing partnership with Siemens Healthineers, whose continued collaboration contributes to CIBM’s excellence. I also want to acknowledge the dedication and leadership of Prof. François Lazeyras, founding head and his successor Prof. Frédéric Grouiller, head of the CIBM MRI HUG–UNIGE Section, whose commitment and expertise ensure our continued success.”
Bridging Technology and Clinical Impact
The scientific session, moderated by Prof. Frédéric Grouiller, featured presentations on the first clinical experiences with ultra-high-gradient MRI and its potential in diverse domains.
- Dr. Sana Boudabbous shared insights from musculoskeletal imaging applications,
- Prof. Felix Kurz discussed advances in neuroimaging, and
- Dr. Bénédicte Mortamet-Maréchal, Director of the Swiss Innovation Hub at Siemens Healthineers, closed the session with a reflection on the “power of collaboration and passion beyond technology.”
A Platform for Future Research and Precision Medicine
The MAGNETOM Cima.X will play a central role in advancing precision medicine, supporting research on brain connectivity, tissue microstructure, and novel diffusion protocols. As part of the CIBM MRI HUG–UNIGE Clinical MR Imaging Section, the system will serve as a bridge between clinical practice and cutting-edge science, strengthening Geneva’s international leadership in biomedical imaging.
