Channel 2 application for continuation of FUGE MIC Trondheim in FUGE II period (2007-2011)

MIC Trondheim wants to continue in the FUGE II period with MR as the core technology, and will expand in capacity with acquisition of new MR equipment, and expand the high-level competence necessary for offering a wide variety of methods tailored to the u ser's research tasks. A goal is to establish a true national network for molecular MR imaging through transfer of competence to the emerging MR research facilities in Bergen and Trondheim. MIC Trondheim also wants to increase collaboration with the planne d sub-node for subcellular imaging in Trondheim, and as a part of the Norwegian Molecular Imaging Consortium. The MR and Ultrasound research environment in Trondheim was significantly strengthened through the establishment of the new imaging centre MI La b. MIC Trondheim is an integrated part of MI Lab, and MI Lab will significantly improve the capability of MIC Trondheim to collaborate with industry, to create innovation for Norwegian industry, and to obtain successful translation of new MR molecular ima ging methods into clinical use on patients. Professor Olav Haraldseth combines the positions of MI Lab director and leader of MIC Trondheim. MIC Trondheim will expand the role of bioinformatics for in-vivo molecular imaging with MR and ultrasound through a focus on development of reliable methods for quantification, and to fully exploit the possibility of using imaging for non-invasive measurements of physiology and molecular biology processes relevant for the disease entity or disease state studied. MI C Trondheim participates in several national and international research collaborations and networks, and has a strong emphasis in the FUGE II period on the relevant possibilities in the Health and Nanoscience themes in EUs 7th framework programme.