New Study Using MR Technology to Revolutionize Disease Research

A world-leading health research resource based in the United Kingdom is establishing an imaging study to help scientists gain a more comprehensive determination of a wide range of diseases including cancer, dementia, and bone, heart, and brain disorders.

Utilizing the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capabilities of a Magnetom Aera and a Magnetom Skyra, developed by Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany), UK Biobank (Manchester, UK) expects their research project to be the most thorough study of its kind ever conducted. The MR systems will be used to obtain the vital translational research images of the study participants’ hearts and brains. Bone scans and scanning of the carotid artery (in the neck) are also planned.


In the most part funded by the UK Department of Health, Medical Research Council, and Wellcome Trust charity, UK Biobank will track the health of 500,000 British citizens over many years. The imaging part of the project, due to take place in spring 2014, will be the first time researchers have endeavored to image so many people in a single study. It is expected that the research will provide further data for scientists and clinicians trying to develop a better understanding of disorders that cause disability, pain, and premature death.

The Magnetom Aera and Skyra MR systems feature 48 radiofrequency (RF) channels as standard and lightweight coils. The systems’ open bore design with a 70-cm-wide aperture, allows a wide range of body types to be scanned either head or feet first, substantially optimizing comfort for the study participants. The systems also feature TimTM 4G (Total imaging matrix) and DotTM (Day optimizing throughput) technology integration for high-resolution imaging, improved efficiency, and enhanced productivity.

“UK Biobank is the major health research success story of recent decades. Our 500,000 participants have already provided lots of information about their health, lifestyles, and wellbeing, as well as blood, urine, and saliva samples for long-term storage and analysis, including genetic research,” noted Prof. Rory Collins, lead investigator at UK Biobank. “Adding this detailed extra information will help in many ways. For instance, it may help to identify early changes that indicate the start of disease, and it may suggest new ways to slow that process, or to prevent the disease altogether.”

“Siemens MR technology is already pivotal to many imaging research projects across the UK and we are delighted to take this one step further by taking part in one of the most detailed imaging studies of its kind,” stated Jane Kilkenny, MR business manager at Siemens Healthcare. “We look forward to supporting the project with the Magnetom Aera and Skyra’s excellent image quality and rapid acquisition times, with the end goal of producing images of a quality that can help with pioneering research into the cause and treatment of major diseases.”

UK Biobank is hosted by the University of Manchester (UK) and supported by the National Health Service (NHS). It works with researchers from a large number of British universities. The medical research project is a nonprofit charity and had initial funding of approximately GBP 62 million.

Related Links:
Siemens Healthcare
UK Biobank