Molecular Scale Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Summary

Through its phenomenal ability to image soft tissues, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has revolutionized both clinical medicine and research biomedicine. Nowadays, MRI scanners used clinically have spatial resolutions in the range of 0.5 mm. This enables identification and monitoring of disease processes throughout the body and visualization of minute brain structures. Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) brings the resolution down to the micron scale, so that cells and parts of cells can be seen. Using ultrasensitive silicon nano-wired mechanical resonators, we are working to distinguish small ensembles of nuclear and electron spins. In doing so, we are striving to bring MR down to the nanometer scale, allowing imaging of single viral particles. Subsequently, extending the approach to the Angstrom scale, our goal is to demonstrate MR imaging of individual protein molecules.