Wayne State University


Apply for scan time

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

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 Robin Roberts (Email: rroberts@med.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. 7T scan request form (pdf)
  3. IACUC Approval
  4. Biographical Sketch of the PI

Scanner Rate
The current rate for the 7T scanner is $175/hour for NIH and non-profit funding and $383/hour for commercial funding 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 plan for animal and care costs, cost for other supplies such as isoflurane and IACUC processing fees. 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 (iLab).
Scan time priorities:

  • NIH funded projects
  • Externally funded projects
  • Pilot projects – funded by developmental time
  • Sequence/protocol testing

Animal Research Subject Management

  1. Documentation
    1. The following documents must be on file in the MR Research Facility prior to the start of any animal research project.
    1. Initial Contact Form Completed
    2. Copy of IACUC approval
    3. Copy of IACUC approved protocol
  2. Scheduling
    3. Priority of the proposal regarding magnet and personnel time
    NIH funding > Industry funding > No funding
    1. All small animal research (mice/rats) utilizing MR 7T facilities/personnel need to be scheduled through the 7T Manager or designate.
    2. Larger species will require use of the large bore magnets and must be scheduled through the 3T Head MR Technician or Research Magnet Coordinator (313) 966-2233.
  3. Safety
    1. The PI and staff associated with the research must be proficient with magnet safety rules.
    2. PIs are responsible for their own personal protective equipment (PPE) and disposables (gloves, syringes, etc.) as well as thoroughly cleaning according to the posted IACUC recommendations after their experiments.
    3. Safety in services can be provided to researches and their staff as needed.
  4. Animal Care and Housing
    1. Housing in Elliman is available but must be approved and coordinated through DLAR.
    2. Housing and euthanasia should comply with DLAR/AAALAC standards.
    3. An Isoflurane vaporizer and vacuum system is available for use. Isoflurane anesthesia is to be provided by the PI and can be purchased through the DLAR. Please schedule time with Yimin Shen (ym_shen@wayne.edu; Phone: 313-966-0579) on how to operate.
  5. Animal Disposal
    1. Researchers are responsible for their own animal disposal.

Applying For 11.7T Paid Scan Time:

  1. 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.
  2. Research proposals/protocols, Initial Contact form, IACUC approvals, finalized sequences (from the scanner), and PI Biographical Sketch should be submitted electronically to Farhad Ghoddoussi (Email: fghoddoussi@med.wayne.edu) no later than the fourth Wednesday of the preceding month to be considered for review.
    1. Proposal Format:
      2. Note to investigators when submitting your 1-2 page protocol summary use the following guidelines:

      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. Complete the following form: Initial Contact Form (doc) (pdf)
    3. Supply the following:
      1. Copy of Approved Proposal
      2. Completed Initial Contact Form
      3. Sequence List to be used (xls)
      4. IACUC Approval
    4. Contact the person responsible for schedule time on the magnet you wish to use.
      11.7T: Farhad Ghoddoussi; Email: fghoddoussi@med.wayne.edu; Desk: 313-577-6910
    5. Type of Funding
      Type of payment for the scan time.
  3. Once your Project is approved by the MR Research Committee, PIs must go to the 11.7T calendar to find open times to schedule their MRI. Also please use the most recent and updated MR screening sheet (doc) (pdf) to screen the person performing the MRI exam.


MRI Pilot Project Program

The goal of the Pilot Project Program is solely to provide institutional support to investigators to acquire feasibility and/or preliminary MR data towards a future grant application using any one of the MRI facilities (human 3T system, animal 7T system and tissue samples at 11.7T).

  • To provide support for the scanning cost of new research projects initiated by investigators
  • The acquired imaging data is to be used solely for the purpose of providing evidence of feasibility and evidence potentially supporting the proposed hypotheses in grant applications, i.e., part of preliminary data
  • The purpose of the PPP is not to support the collection of imaging data for a research study
  • A maximum of 20 scanning hours will be provided that is split 75% by the core and 25% by the investigator (or his/her department).
  • The role of the new PPP review committee is to ensure applications meet these criteria as noted above.

Investigators requesting support for Pilot Project must submit:

  1. MRRC approval from MRI scan time (Apply for 3T scan time / 7T scan Time)
  2. A research proposal (not to exceed 3 pages) which includes:
    1. specific aims
    2. hypotheses
    3. background
    4. experimental approach
    		 Submit all applications to:
    Pavan Jella, MS
    Email: dx4925@wayne.edu
    Phone: 313-745-1388
  3. Developmental Time application form.

Applications will be accepted for review in the order they are received.

Investigators can only request up to a maximum of 20 hours of scanning time; detailed scientific justification of the number of hours requested must be provided in the research proposal. Additional scanning time may be requested upon completion of the initial Pilot Project, and with a progress report and rationale.

15 hours - 75% - OVPR support
5 hours - 25% paid by the PI

Prior to submission, investigators must secure matching funds from their own accounts (such as their indirect account, a start-up fund account, a retention fund account and/or by the department/center/division funds) totaling 25% of the proposed scanning time cost. If funds are unavailable, a special request can be included with justification and a letter from the department/institution.

Pilot Project applications will be reviewed and scored according to merit by the MRI Scientific Review Committee, which consists of MRI experts. There is a limit to the available funds provided by the SOM and OVPR in supporting this Pilot Project Program and, therefore, the awarding of scanning time for pilot projects will be competitive.