A Paradigm Shift in Imaging Technology
Housing three cutting-edge Siemens scanners, the Herston Imaging Research Facility (HIRF) has the potential to revolutionise patient care in the areas of dementia and ageing, mental illness, brain development and cancer.
Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Scanner (PET/CT)
Siemens Biograph mCT FLOW
The PET/CT Scanner provides details of disorders at a molecular level (PET) and a detailed image of the body’s anatomy (CT).
Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Imaging Resonance Scanner (PET/MRI)
Siemens Biograph mMR
The ground-breaking PET/MRI Scanner is one of a few of its kind in Australia.
3-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scanner (3T MRI)
Siemens Magnetom 3T Prisma
As one of only a few in Australia, the 3T MRI delivers the capacity to conduct cutting-edge neuroimaging research.
What is Special About HIRF's Scanners?
The scanners are different from those normally used for diagnostic imaging of patients because each is a hybrid, combining two scanning modalities within a single machine. This enables the scanners to capture detailed anatomical images along with molecular and functional processes occurring within the body to help researchers improve their understanding of disease and quickly determine whether treatments are effective.
For example, in cancer research, the scanners will locate a tumor within the body and give biological information about the cancer to improve diagnosis, optimise treatment planning and monitor whether therapy is working. In the case of neurological diseases such as dementia or mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, the scanners will enable detailed studies of brain structure and function, along with key pathological information relating to amyloid, tau accumulation and other receptor-mediated processes.
Ancillary MR-compatible equipment is also available to allow cutting-edge functional imaging in neurological research. See here for a list.
For more information download our brochure.
See our scanners
Enjoy this virtual walkthrough of the HIRF research unit.