CENTER FOR NEUROSCIENCE IMAGING RESEARCH

Lab Name: Neurovascular Coupling Laboratory

Introduction

Our laboratory aims to understand the basic mechanism of physiological interaction among neurons, glias and vascular system and provide better insights for perfusion related neuroimaging techniques. Our particular research interests include: 1) Study the effect of chronic stress on neurovascular coupling at functional and structural level, 2) Study  the effect of pathologically heightened neuronal excitation and synchronization on neurovascular coupling at functional and structural level and develop cell-therapy for epilepsy, 3) Study neurovascular coupling mechanism through neurovascular coupling modulators, such as nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, & glucose, and 4) Develop novel techniques to restore neurovascular coupling dysfunction

Selected Recent Publication

1. Lee S, Kang B, Shin M, Min J, Heo C, Lee Y, Baeg E, Suh M*, "Chronic stress decreases cerebrovascular responses during rat hindlimb electrical stimulation", Frontiers in Neuroscience 23;9:462, 2015.

2. Im S, Kim WJ, Kim YH, Lee S, Koo JH, Lee JA, Kim HM, Park HJ, Kim DH, Lee HG, Yoon H, Kim JY, Shin JH, Kim LK, Doh J, Kim H, Bothwell ALM, Lee SK, Suh M, Choi JM^*, "A novel CNS-permeable peptide, dNP2 enables cytoplasmic domain of CTLA-4 protein to regulate autoimmune encephalomyelitis", Nature Communication 15;6:8244, 2015.

3. Jo A, Heo C, Schwartz TH, Suh M*, "Nanoscale intracortical iron injection induces chronic epilepsy in rodent", Journal of Neuroscience Research 92(3):389-397, 2014.

4. Heo C, Lee SY, Jo A, Jung S, Suh M*, Lee YH*, "Flexible, transparent, and non-cytotoxic graphene electric field stimulator for effective cerebral blood volume enhancement", ACS Nano 25;7(6):4869-4878, 2013.

5. Jo A, Do H, Jhon GJ, Suh M*, Lee Y*, "Electrochemical nanosensor for real-time direct imaging of nitric oxide in living brain", Anal Chem 1;83(21):8314-8319, 2011.

Lab Name: MR Advanced Imaging Research Lab (MR.AIR)

Introduction  

We are always open to new possibilities for MR technical development and application to basic sciences as well as preclinical/clinical studies. We have recently been working on ultrashort echo-time (UTE) imaging with radial sampling and ultrafast imaging using spatiotemporal encoding. Among various UTE applications, we are now interested in its use in fMRI as well as lung imaging. Regarding ultrafast imaging, we recently developed a 3D gradient-echo-based ultrafast imaging technique using spatiotemporal encoding and are trying to find interesting applications (e.g. in fMRI).

Selected Recent Publication

1. J-Y Park, L DelaBarre, M Garwood*, “Improved gradient-echo 3D magnetic resonance imaging using pseudo-echoes created by frequency-swept pulses”, Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 55: 848-857, 2006.

(Cf. D Idiyatullin, C Corum, J-Y Park, M Garwood*, “Fast and quiet MRI using a swept radiofrequency”, Journal of Magnetic Resonance 181: 342-349, 2006 (“SWIFT”); R Chamberlain, J-Y Park, C Corum, E Yacoub, K Ugurbil, C Jack Jr., M Garwood*, “RASER: A new ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging method”, Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 58: 794-799, 2007.

2. J-Y Park*, M Garwood, “Spin-echo MRI using p/2 and p hyperbolic secant pulses”, Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 61: 175-187, 2009.

3. J-Y Park*, S Moeller, U Goerke, E Auerbach, R Chamberlain, J Ellermann, M Garwood, “Short TE 3D radial gradient-echo MRI using concurrent dephasing and excitation”, Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 67: 428-436, 2012.

4. Y Lee, Y Han, H-W Park, H Watanabe, M Garwood, J-Y Park*, “A new phase-based B₁ mapping method using 2D spin-echo imaging with hyperbolic secant pulses”, Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 73: 170-181, 2015.

5. J Park, T Shin, SH Yoon, JM Goo, J-Y Park*, “A radial sampling strategy for uniform k-space coverage with retrospective respiratory gating in 3D ultrashort echo-time lung imaging”, NMR in Biomedicine, in press, 2016.

Neurophotonics Lab

Introduction

We use light as a tool to understand and manipulate living biological system, aiming to address pressing problems in neuroscience. Our research theme includes but is not limited to intravital imaging techniques, optical neuromodulation, and bio-integrated photonics. We take multidisciplinary approaches integrating optics, engineering, and biomedicine.

Selected Recent Publications

1. Choi M, Choi JW, Kim S, Nizamoglu S, Hahn SK, Yun SH, "Light-guiding hydrogels for cell-based sensing and optogenetic synthesis in vivo", Nature Photonics 7(12): 987-994, 2013 (featured in Nature Photonics, Nature Methods, Nature Review of Endocrinology, Thomson Reuter, etc.).

2. Choi M, Ku T, Chung K, Yoon J, Choi C, "Minimally invasive molecular delivery into the brain using optical modulation of vascular permeability", PNAS 108(22): 9256-9261, 2011.

3. Kim JK*, Lee WM*, Kim P*, Choi M*, Jung K, Kim S, Yun SH, "Fabrication and operation of GRIN probes for in vivo fluorescence cellular imaging of internal organs in small animals",  Nature Protocols 7: 1456-1469, 2012 (*co-first author; cover article).

4. Choi M, Humar M, Kim S, Yun SH, "Step-index optical fiber made of biocompatible hydrogels",  Advanced Materials 27: 4081-4086, 2015.

5. Choi M, Lee WM, Yun SH, "Intravital microscopic interrogation of peripheral taste sensation",  Scientific Reports 5: 8661, 2015.

Magnetic Resonance Laboratory

Introduction

Modern high-field MRI provides unparalleled sensitivity and quantification accuracy for measurement of physical properties and processes of a living human body. In brain imaging, diffusion weighted imaging and quantitative susceptibility mapping are already widely used to map and measure water diffusion constant and magnetic susceptibility of grey and white matter, with a prospect of applying them as a quantitative biomarker for disease diagnosis. Our laboratory is interested in developing new methodologies for MRI to advance the magnetic resonance-based in-vivo physical property measurement and mapping. A strong emphasis is placed on solid understanding of the physics of MRI hardware and contrast generation, and translation of the research outcomes to clinical practices applied to local population.

Selected Recent Publications

1. S.-K. Lee, J.-B Mathieu, D. Graziani, J. Piel, E. Budesheim, E. Fiveland, C. J. Hardy, E. T. Tan, B. Amm, T. K.-F. Foo, M. A. Bernstein, J. Huston III, Y. Shu, J. F. Schenck, “Peripheral nerve stimulation properties of an asymmetric head-only gradient coil compatible with a high-channel-count receiver array”, Magn Res Med DOI:10.1002/mrm.26044, 2015.

2. S.-K. Lee, S. Bulumulla, I. Hancu, “Theoretical investigation of random noise-limited signal-to-noise ratio in MR-based electrical properties tomography”, IEEE Trans Med Imaging 34: 2220-2232, 2015.

3. S.-K. Lee, S. Bulumulla, F. Wiesinger, L. Sacolick, W. Sun, I. Hancu, “Tissue electrical property mapping from zero echo-time magnetic resonance imaging”, IEEE Trans Med Imaging 34: 542-550, 2015.

4. K. Kim, S. Begus, H. Xia, S.-K. Lee, V. Jazbinsek, M. Romalis, “Multi-channel atomic magnetometer for magnetoencephalography: A configuration study”, Neuroimage 89: 143-151, 2014.

5. I. M. Savukov, S.-K.  Lee, M. V. Romalis, “Optical detection of liquid state NMR”, Nature 442: 1021-1024, 2006.

6. R. McDermott, S. K. Lee, B. ten Haken, A. H. Trabesinger, A. Pines, John Clarke, “Microtesla magnetic resonance imaging with a superconducting quantum interference device”, Proc Natl Acad Sci 101: 7857-7861, 2004.