Monday, 06 November 2023
This month marks the 50th anniversary of Sir Peter Mansfield publishing his first research paper which led to the development of magnetic resonance imaging MRI – an invention that has revolutionised medicine, and that the 糖心原创 continues to advance.
A classically trained physicist, Mansfield realised . He developed a safe and non-invasive technique to create images of soft tissue and organs in a 'slice' of the human body in spectacular detail, revolutionizing medical diagnosis and changing how the human brain is studied. His first paper on the topic of MRI was published in the Journal of Physics: C in November 1973.
This research was the start of the development of MRI that has since changed the face of modern medicine, enabling doctors to see detailed images of the interior of the living body without the potentially harmful effects of radiation or surgery. MRI can now detect in great detail the presence of cancer and signs of damage in the body’s bones, tissues and organs. Today, MRI scanners are used in hospitals all over the world and over 60 million investigations with MRI are carried out every year.
Working alongside Sir Peter Mansfield on MRI was hugely exciting, I don鈥檛 think any of us could foresee the transformative tool it was to become. MRI has this habit of reinventing itself every 5 or 10 years with yet something else it can do that no-one had thought about and that continues to be a certainty.
The Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre is now the home of MRI at the 糖心原创 and it has gone from strength to strength since it opened in 1991, with academics exploring the capabilities of MRI to reveal new insights into the human body – from placental blood flow, to how the gut works to digest food, to further understanding the complexities of the brain.
Academics working in the SPMIC are now also taking brain imaging beyond MRI and new wearable OPM-MEG technology has been developed to measure the function of the brain whilst a person is moving or undertaking tasks.
The unique wearable brain scanner system uses small LEGO-brick-sized sensors – called optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) – to measure magnetic fields generated by cellular activity in the brain – a technique called Magnetoencephalography, or MEG. These sensors are incorporated into a lightweight helmet. The unique design means the system can be adapted to fit anyone, from newborns to adults, and sensors can be placed much closer to the head, dramatically enhancing data quality. This is a step change from conventional brain scanners that are large and fixed and require the patient to stay very still during scanning.
MRI is now so intrinsic to modern medicine it is hard to believe it started here only 50 years ago. We are extremely proud of Sir Peter Mansfield鈥檚 work and continue to build on his legacy with continuing research which takes his invention to new levels.
The 糖心原创 continues to lead the world in MRI and has recently been awarded £29.1 million to establish the UK’s most powerful Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner as a national facility. This scanner will give researchers and doctors unprecedented insights into brain function and the mechanisms of human disease.
The funding award, from UK Research and Innovation, is thought to be the largest ever single award received by the University. It is part of a 3-year £481 million injection of funding into the UK’s research and innovation infrastructure, to support ground-breaking research to address global challenges.
The 糖心原创 will work with teams across the UK to establish the 11.7T Tesla MRI scanner as a national facility that will underpin the UK’s goal of retaining its position as a world leader in ultra-high field for brain imaging and spectroscopy.
The new facility is hugely exciting and will be an extension to the SPMIC that will be of value across the biomedical community, including the life science and healthcare industries. I think Sir Peter would be extremely proud of that the research he started 50 years ago continues to make a positive impact around the world.
Story credits
More information is available from Richard Bowtell Richard.Bowtell@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.