SAMMI - Small Animal MRI/MRS Instrument

The small animal MRI/MRS instrument (SAMMI) is intended to support UGA researchers and their collaborators who need imaging or spectroscopy data on small animals as a part of their research activities. The instrument is based on 7T magnet with a 210 mm bore and is suitable for imaging mice, rats and animals of similar size. It was funded by a shared instrumentation grant from the NIH and, while it will be open to all investigators, access priority will initially be given to those with NIH funded projects and those participating in the instrumentation proposal. Access for all users requires approval of the SAMMI operating committee. The approval process can be initiated by submission of a project proposal to the manager of the facility, Dr. Khan Hekmatyar.

Proposal Requirements:

1) Text

A one page proposal is required with following sections: Aims, Significance, Research Design and Methods, Previous Imaging/Spectroscopy Experience, Publications (3-5 documenting experience). Investigators should complete the methods to the fullest extent possible. In cases where imaging/spectroscopy experience does not exist within the investigator’s group, identifying a collaborating investigator with such experience would be useful. In the case of a good project with no previous experience an effort will be made by the facility to identify possible collaborators or training opportunities. In addition supply the following information:

2) Resources Needed

1. Type of animals/tissues/subjects used:
2. Duration of study
3. Estimated total number of animals:
4. One time only or longitudinal:
5. Estimated number of images:
6. Special equipment/anesthesia required and special care or hazards involved:
7. Use of drugs/contrast agents during acquisition:
8. Explain the extent of aid from facility personnel needed (training of an operator, data collection assistance, data processing assistance).

3) Personnel

The facility currently has a minimal amount of personnel time to devote to technical assistance. We encourage investigators to identify an individual who can be trained to acquire and analyze data, and who can be approved as an instrument operator. Approval as an operator will require completing a training program and meeting standards set by the manager. Scheduling of training will only be done after project approval and may take several weeks of effort.

1. List names, positions, responsibilities, and email addresses for all those involved the study.
2. If your group plans to have an approved operator, identify a person proposed for training. Give a brief description of the person’s previous experience with imaging or spectroscopy and other qualifications that would facilitate training.

4) Funding

The facility runs on a cost recovery basis, charging hourly fees, except for initial training and development time. Please see the User Fees section of the website for current rates.

1. List funds available (in dollars) to complete the study (including funding agency and grant number)
2. List pending or potential funds (in dollars, including funding agency, submission date and expected decision date)

6) Animals

Before any imaging/spectroscopy research using live animals can begin, an animal use protocol (AUP) must be approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Existing AUPs must be amended to explicitly describe imaging/spectroscopy protocols. Please see additional information on the webpage for assistance in preparing and submitting an animal use protocol. A copy of the submitted AUP must be included with the project proposal and approval must be verified before imaging of live animals.

7) Publications: Acknowledgement

The instrumentation was made available with an award from the National Center for Research Resources of the NIH. Users of the facility are expected to cite the awarding grant in publications using data from the facility. The following is an example of an appropriate citation:

“The project described was supported by Award Number S10RR023706 from the National Center for Research Resources. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center for Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.”