Nuclear magnetic resonance has been a game changer in the history of medicine. Other than x-rays, magnetic resonance unveils data with exceptional soft tissue sensitivity. As a result, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), developed in the early 1970ies, has powered the astounding progress of medicine in the past fifty years. And it still does. Any enhancement in the field of MRI potentially triggeres enhancement in diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. And despite intensive research and substantial progress, MR-technology still shows a vast unexploited potential. Realizing these potentials by way of research and development is one of the most important challenges in state-of-the-art biomedical engineering.

The Magnetic Resonance Physics and Methodology Group (MRPM) is not only one of the power house to much of DBE´s research on and with images, it is also a higly innovative research group on its own. Our research lies within the University of Basel’s most important focal area „life sciences“. It is focused on basic research in the fundamentals of magnetic resonance physics, and on the development of dedicated MR methods for applications in the field of biophysical, biochemical, and clinical sciences.  For instance we have developed a wide range of methods for biochemical and biophysical tissue characterization, catheter tracking or real-time feed-back procedures for MR-guided interventions. We are tayloring MR methods for preclinical and clinical research from low to ultra-high fields and develop methods for motion tracking of organs down to the magnitude of single cells. We have developed methods to obtain structural and functional MR-data and images of the lung, which has challenged MRI for the longest time. The group is also active in the field of MR methods development for X-nuclei imaging (23Na, 19F) and MR spectroscopy (31P).

We are operating and responsible for the human 3T MRI research platform (Siemens Magnetom Prisma) of the University of Basel. With our expertise, we offer dedicated and innovative MR functionality (including x-nuclei imaging capabilities) and knowledge to a wide range of internal and external research groups within the University of Basel and the University Hospital Basel.

The MRPM is located right in the heart of University Hospital Basel. It therefore also works as a strong link between the research and development performed at DBE and the work of clinicians at University Hospital. The Magnetic Resonance Physics and Methodology Group therefore is one of the pillars of DBE main aim: enabling patient specific research for a science based treatment.

We receive(d) and acknowledge financial support of the Swiss National Science (SNF) Foundation for our research and engagement in magnetic resonance physics and methodology for various projects.

In case of questions please contact Prof. Dr Oliver Bieri.