Wayne State University

This page outlines the process for starting a new research project utilizing equipment managed by the MR Research Facility.

Proposal Submission Guidelines:
All research conducted at the WSU MR Research Facility must be approved by the MR Research Committee. The MR Research Committee meets quarterly, but also reviews proposals electronically on a monthly basis. Proposals must be submitted by the fourth Wednesday of the preceding month to be considered for review.
Projects to be considered must submit the following documents electronically to Yang Xuan at yang.xuan@wayne.edu:

  1. Research Proposal (1-2 pages) in the following format:
    • Title:
    • Rationale:
    • Aims:
    • Materials and Methodology: (include MR sequences, number of subjects, and number of scans per subject)
    • Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria: (include MR safety exclusions)
    • How the study will be conducted:
    • Analysis:
  2. 3T scan request form (pdf)
  3. A list of finalized sequences.(xls) You can obtain this from the scanner with the help of the technician.
  4. IRB Approval
  5. Consent forms
  6. Biographical Sketch of the PI

Scanner Rate
The 3T scanner is $650/hour for NIH and non-profit funding and $876/hour for commercial funded studies. More details are listed on the pricing webpage.

Budgeting for Research Scans
Research scans at Wayne State University are considered “Equipment or Facility Rental/User Fees” under "Other direct costs" and are subject to Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs. Current F&A rates can be found here.
When budgeting for research scan time, please also include in your budget the costs of other supplies, patient incentives and IRB processing fees as separate items. Please see prices here.
If you need help with developing your budget, please contact your department’s Grant & Contract Officer here.

Read more ...

Review criteria:
Once a project is submitted the following criteria will be used to determine the scientific ranking for the project:

  • Scientific merit
  • Technical feasibility of project
  • Funding status/likelihood of funding
  • Development required to implement project
  • Availability of personnel and equipment

Approved/Ongoing Projects
Once a scientific ranking has been determined, it will be translated into a priority for scan time allocation. This allocation will be assigned a project number that can be used to schedule time using the online scheduling system (Infinity).
Scan time priorities:

  • NIH funded projects
  • Non-profit funded projects
  • Pilot Projects
  • Commercial projects
  • Sequence Testing

Human Research Subject Management

  1. Documentation
    1. The following documents must be on file in the MR Research Facility prior to the start of any human research project.
    1. Copy of HIC approval
    2. Copy of HIC approved protocol
    3. Copy of HIC approved consent
    4. Copy of HIC approved HIPPA form
    Please note all consent forms should include a description of the MR scan, contraindications/possible contraindications to MR and potential risks and benefits.
  2. Safety
    1. The PI and staff associated with the research must be proficient with magnet safety rules.
    2. The PI or the research assistant recruiting the subject will be provided with a MR Safety Screening Form (pdf) and is responsible for the initial MR safety screening.
    3. If the subject answers yes to any of the screening questions the PI must contact the Chief Research Technologist at (313) 745-1391.
    4. The PI will be provided with a MR Data Form and is responsible for filling out the form.
    5. The PI will provide a copy of the subject signed consent form on the day of the scan.
    6. On the day of the scan the subject will again be screened by MR research personnel and must be cleared as safe before entering the scanner room.
    7. All subjects will be given earplugs or headphones prior to being moved into the magnet.
    8. All subjects will be given the MR safety bulb and instructed on its use prior to be moved into the magnet.
    9. Someone must always be in the control room when the magnet is occupied.
    10. In the event of a medical or other emergency the subject will be immediately removed from the scanner room and appropriate steps taken.
    11. Female subjects of child bearing age being scanned on the 3T must have a urine pregnancy test done prior to scanning. The MR Research Facility will provide the kits and training to key personnel as to their use. Please contact the Research Coordinator for further details.
  3. Valuables/Clothing
    1. Any subject valuables (i.e. coins, keys, credit cards, jewelry) that must be removed prior to scanner room entry must either be locked up in the valuables cupboard/drawer or given to someone chosen by the subject.
    2. Subjects will be provided a locker for any clothing that cannot be worn during the scan.
    Please note MR Research personnel will not take responsibility for subject valuables and strongly encourage subjects to leave valuables at home whenever possible.
  4. Sedation
    The MR Research Facility does not provide anesthesia and/or sedation.
  5. Confidentiality
    1. All subject records kept by the MR Research Facility will be secured. Access to these records will be limited to personnel directly involved in the study, WSU IRB and the study sponsor.
  6. Subject scheduling
    1. Subject scheduling is done by the Study Coordinator or the Research Technologist.
    2. Scheduling priority is given to funded projects which are ranked using the following criteria.
      1. Protocol specific time frames
      2. Coordination of personnel necessary to perform the exam