Leaders from Toronto’s academic health research community today launched the greatest multi-site collaboration and advancement in clinical imaging research the city has seen, to revolutionize the understanding and treatment of the most challenging health disorders of our time.
Building on and amplifying the pooled expertise and resources of seven Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN) institutions, and the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto’s first 7-Tesla MRI system for clinical research was officially opened at the Bayview campus of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
The 7T MRI facility, one of only three available for clinical research in Canada, marks a major milestone for brain research, unlocking ultra-high-resolution imaging that will transform how scientists will study and understand the brain and other organs, opening up immense research possibilities.
Scientists from across the TAHSN institutions will develop a better understanding of how the central nervous system works with other systems in the body in order to develop treatments for patients.
The 7T MRI system will:
- Produce extremely detailed images in high resolution, enabling scientists to see previously invisible features of the brain
- Allow researchers to see the chemical make-up of the brain
- Drive precision therapies—from MR-guided focused ultrasound to deep brain stimulation to more effective cancer radiation treatments
The leading-edge technology and partnership proudly supports Toronto-wide collaboration and innovation, and positions Toronto at the forefront of discovery in neuroscience and beyond.
The 7T MRI has been made possible with support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Ontario Research Fund (ORF) and collaboration between TAHSN partners: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University Health Network, Unity Health Toronto, The Hospital for Sick Children, Baycrest, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.