Martinos Center:
Program in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
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MGH/MIT/HMS Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging
Mission

 

About the Program in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance:

The principal focus of our group is the development and application of novel magnetic resonance techniques for cardiovascular imaging and diagnosis. The Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, formerly known as the MGH-NMR Center, has a long tradition of highly innovative research in cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Prior accomplishments have included pioneering work on the characterization of atherosclerotic plaque by MRI, the imaging of cardiac mechanics in 3-D, and the use of endogenous contrast mechanisms (BOLD, ASL) for cardiovascular imaging.

In the current era of molecular and genetic biomedical research, our activities now encompass the full range of investigation from basic science to clinical translation. Strong collaborations have been developed with the Cardiovascular Research Center (CVRC) and the Center for Molecular Imaging Research (CMIR) at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) as well as with several other prominent basic scientists in the greater Boston area. A highly active small-animal cardiac MR imaging program has been started to facilitate the investigation of cardiac physiology, pathophysiology, genetics and therapeutics in mouse models of cardiovascular disease. Novel pulse sequences and techniques for functional, molecular and metabolic cardiovascular imaging in mice are being actively investigated.

Our group is also highly involved in the translation of novel MR techniques into the clinical arena. Areas of interest include the use of novel MR techniques to better understand the pathophysiology and treatment of heart failure, valvular heart disease and atherosclerosis. We collaborate actively with members of the cardiology and cardiac surgery divisions at the MGH as well as with scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and in industry.

The members of our group have a diverse range of backgrounds including physical chemistry, physics and electrical engineering. The Martinos Center provides an ideal environment in which to apply these skills and interact with a broad array of medical and biomedical scientists. We are confident that our group will continue to build on the excellent foundation laid by prior investigators in our center, and make significant contributions to cardiovascular research in both the technical and clinical arenas.

About the Martinos Center:

The Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging currently occupies over 40,000 square feet of research space in the MGH Charlestown research buildings. The Center was first established, as the MGH-NMR Center, in 1988 under the leadership of Dr. Thomas Brady.  Under his visionary leadership, pioneering research was done in numerous aspects of NMR physics, spectroscopy and imaging, and the center experienced a dramatic increase in size and personnel.  

The leadership of the NMR Center was assumed by Dr. Bruce Rosen in 1998. Dr. Rosen is an internationally recognized expert in magnetic resonance imaging, and has pioneered its use to measure organ perfusion, oxygenation and functional brain activity (Science 1992, PNAS 1992). He has also played a key technical role in the development of many of the MRI techniques for cardiovascular imaging that have been developed in our center.  In addition to directing the Martinos Center, Dr Rosen is currently also the director of the Radiological Sciences Division at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  

In 2002, a generous endowment from the Martinos Family allowed the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging to be created. The MGH-Martinos Center currently has over 200 members and approximately $26 million in annual research funding. The Program in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance is an integral part of the Martinos Center with full access to all of its facilities and infrastructure.  We anticipate that the Martinos Center will continue to expand over the next several years, with cardiovascular research playing a leading role in its growth.