Main Research Areas

We develop and apply magnetic resonance techniques in a broad range of areas. Most members of our group work in several areas, so if you are interested in knowing more about any of these projects please contact Elizabeth Croal and she will put you in touch with the relevant person. Further information can be found in our publications. We have a separate page listing PhD projects.

We are part of the School of Physics and Astronomy which was ranked joint second in the 2008 Research Assessment Excersice that was run by the Higher Education Funding Council for England ( HEFCE )

Developments of NMR and related techniques

High field MRI

fMRI acquisition and analysis techniques: high spatial resolution fMRI, single trial fMRI, combined EEG and fMRI

Methods for quantifying tissue perfusion and other haemodynamic parameters (e.g. arterial spin labelling, BOLD calibration techniques etc)

Quantitative MRI techniques (e.g. relaxometry, CEST and MT etc)

In vivo spectroscopic techniques

Design of RF and Gradient coils, and RF pulses

Hyperpolarized MRI, dynamic nuclear polarization

Magnetoencephalography

Applications of NMR

Most of these projects involve considerable physics development, focused on solving specific biomedical problems:

Functional brain imaging:

Applications of fMRI
- Stroke
- Hearing research
- Auditory function
- Schizophrenia
- Cognitive neuroscience (perception and action)
- Gut/brain axis
Understanding the relationship between neuronal activity and the BOLD effect
Oscillatory activity in the brain; 'resting state' activity
Metabolism of the brain using 1H and 13C MR spectroscopy

Anatomical brain imaging:

MRI in neurodegeneration (MS and Parkinson's disease) and stroke

Whole body imaging:

Metabolism and pathology of the liver studied using 13C MR spectroscopy
Gastrointestinal physiology and pathology: from the stomach to the colon
MRI of the fetus and placenta, and non pregnant uterus

Non biological applications

NMR microscopy of pharmaceuticals

Debris detection by MRI