HKBU Life Science Imaging Centre
Overview
The University has established Life Science Imaging Centre (LSIC) as a major research infrastructure or central research facility to promote individual and collaborative research on transdisciplinary neuroscience studies.
LSIC has procured a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility (model: MAGNETOM Prisma) , which is equipped with:
- high gradient performance (80 mT/m @ 200 T/m/s simultaneously, on all three axes) with an ultra-high-performance cooling system and force-compensated design for reduced vibrations;
- fully dynamic parallel transmit with TimTX TrueShape
- Tim 4G RF system with 48, 64, or 128 independent channels for faster imaging and higher SNR
- new UltraFlex 18 coils and Tim 4G coil technology
Please click here to visit the supplier's website for the specification details.
Apart from the MRI scanner, LSIC is further equipped with electroencephalogram (EEG) , Functional near infra-red spectroscopy (fNIRS) and Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) system.
Our Team
Associate Director
Associate Professor, Department of Management, Marketing, and Information Systems
Job Openings
- Radiographers (Please click here for the job description)
- Research Assistant/Technician (Please click here for the job description)
- Research Associate/Scientific Officer (Please click here for the job description)
- Research Scientist (Please click here for the job description)
Seminars
| Date and Time | Venue | Topic | Speaker | Registration/ Video Recording |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 July, 2023 (Thursday) 15:00-16:00 | AAB 205, HKBU University Road Campus | Neurocomputational mechanisms underlying adaptation learning in changing environments | Prof. Pengfei Xu, Associate Professor, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University | / |
| 30 May, 2023 (Tuesday) 16:00-17:30 | OEE1017, HSH Campus | From data to modelling: Exploration at the whole brain scale with possible clinical applications | Prof. Jianfeng Feng,
Chair professor, Shanghai National Centre for Mathematic Sciences Dean, Brain-inspired AI Institute, Fudan University Dean, School of Data Science, Fudan University | / |
| 25 May, 2023 (Thursday) 10:00-11:00 | WLB205, Shaw Campus | Exploring the Influence of Echo Time on Functional and Diffusion MRI using a High-Performance Gradient MR Scanner | Prof. Hongjian He, School of Physics, Center for Brain Imaging Science and Technology, Zhejiang University | Video Recording |
| 18 April, 2023 (Tuesday) 10:00-11:00 | WLB109, Shaw Campus | Window to Understanding Brain Networks and Functions through Optogenetic Functional MRI (fMRI) | Dr. Alex Tze Lun Leong, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong | / |
For Project Application
| Useful Information/ Forms /Templates | Click to Download |
|---|---|
| Booking and Billing Policies | Click here |
| MRI Unit Safety Manual | Click here |
| Magnetic Resonance (MR) Procedure Screening Form | English Version |
| Chinese Version | |
| Magnetic Resonance (MR) Informed Consent Statement Template | Bilingual Version |
For Participant
Before you enter the MRI scanner room, there are a few important things to keep in mind to ensure your safety and comfort during the scan. Please read through the following guidelines carefully:
1. Please fill out a brief questionnaire:
- This will take around 2-3 minutes and will include questions related to your medical history, as well as a brief evaluation of your health status, such as your body weight, height, pulse rate, and blood pressure.
2. MRI safety screening interview:
It is important to inform our staff if you have any of the following, as you may not be suitable for an MRI study:
- Eye or body injury by metal
- Metallic implants or fragments in your body
- Implanted electronic devices such as a pacemaker, insulin pump, or deep brain stimulator, and its residual parts
- Pregnancy
- Surgery or tattooing within the last 6 weeks, including glow-in-the-dark tattoos, tattoos with reflective metallic appearance, facial (including tattooed permanent makeup/microblading), scalp, and genital tattoos
- You are currently or used to be a metal worker
- Cochlear implant
- If your body weight is over 250 kg (550 lbs)
3. If you have no metallic objects within your body:
You will need to get changed into a patient gown and remove all metal objects, such as body piercings, jewelry, watches, hair holders, eye spectacles, and coloured contact lenses. Please also clear your pockets of any keys, wallets, and magnetic cards such as ATM and credit cards. Additionally, please remove any eye makeup that may contain metallic substances.
During your MRI exam, you will undergo the following steps:
- Lie on a narrow bed inside a hollow tunnel
- Keep very still for up to 60 minutes, pending on the exact experiment design
- Follow instructions to perform various tasks, e.g. pressing buttons to make choices
- Be given a squeeze ball and press it if you experience discomfort or have concerns
- You may hear and speak to the staff during the procedure
- If needed, you can request to stop the scan at any time
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your MRI scan is safe, comfortable, and produces accurate results. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak with our staff.
MRI Discomforts and Risks
Here are some potential discomforts and risks you should be aware of before undergoing an MRI scan:
- Strong magnet – Magnetic force of attraction: If unsuitable metallic objects are present inside or on your body, it can result in injuries. Please inform our staff if you have undergone surgery within the previous 6 months or have any known metallic object within your body.
- Radio waves: It could generate heat and can even lead to thermal burns due to inappropriate clothing and positioning. Please remove all metal objects, clear all pockets, and remove eye makeup.
- Hollow and narrow tunnel: You may experience discomfort, anxiety, or even shortness of breath, and sensation of claustrophobia. If you feel uncomfortable, please inform our staff during the study by pressing the squeeze bulb.
- Loud noises when scanning: You will be given ear protection in the form of headphones or earplugs. If you are uncomfortable with the noise, please inform our staff.
- Currently, there is no evidence that an MRI examination produces harm to the fetus. However, if you are currently or possibly pregnant, you cannot participate in this study now.
- Risks of MR to your health: No studies have reported significant risks associated with the levels of the MR that you will be exposed to in this MRI study. However, there could still be unforeseeable risks at the moment.
How to Find Us
Fax
3411 5058
Address
Life Science Imaging Centre, Room G03A, G/F., Jockey Club Academic Community Centre, the School of Continuing Education (SCE) Tower, 9 Baptist University Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
Getting There
Exit from Exit D or A2 of Mass Transit Railway (MTR) to take the minibus: Route no. 25M or 25MS (Get off at Baptist University Road Campus (BURC))
Location Map
Please click here to open the map.