Research focus of Department of Imaging Methods

Ing. Pavol Szomolányi, PhD.
Head of Department

The Department of Imaging Methods, as part of the National NMR Centre, is dedicated to research and development of advanced magnetic resonance (MR) methods with an emphasis on quantitative imaging, RF hardware design, optimization of MR sequences, data processing and preclinical studies.

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Research and Development of Low-Field MR Devices

Ing. Daniel Gogola, PhD. – head of research group
Ing. Dušan Mašek – PhD. – student

  • research and development of low-field MR instruments primarily intended for educational purposes
  • implementation of fast measurement techniques in low magnetic field MR conditions
  • optimization of spatial homogeneity and temporal stability of the magnetic field
  • design and construction of high-frequency coils for magnetic resonance applications
  • study of gradient pulse crosstalk into the correction coil system
Research and Application of Neural Networks for MR Data Processing

RNDr. Andrej Krafčík, PhD. – head of research group
Ing. Iveta Pajanová – PhD. – PhD student

BSc. Hana Škúciová – graduate student

  • numerical modeling of multi-physical dynamic systems
  • processing of measured data using machine learning and neural networks
  • segmentation of histological (glomeruli in kidneys) and MRI data (human knee cartilage, heart, visceral/subcutaneous fat, lower leg muscles, pancreatic tumor in an animal model)
  • classification of the degree of brain tissue damage in neurodegenerative diseases from multi-modal data
  • super-resolution of low-field 3D MR images
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Research of Biochemical Processes in the Human Body

Mgr. Radka Klepochová, PhD. – researcher
Ing. Marianna Maková, PhD. – researcher

Assoc.Prof. Ing. Ladislav Valkovič, DrSc. – researcher

  • non-invasive monitoring of metabolic and structural changes in muscles and brain due to regular exercise in the elderly population
  • characterization of dynamic metabolic markers of metabolic flexibility in skeletal muscle
  • monitoring metabolic changes in adipose tissue, liver, pancreas and skeletal muscle before and after lifestyle interventions
  • data acquisition using static/dynamic, phosphorus/proton MR spectroscopy and anatomical/functional MR imaging
  • analysis and interpretation of acquired data, including metabolite quantification, structural parameter assessment and evaluation of intervention effects
Analysis of the Impact of NMR Scanner Scanning on the Subject

Ing. Jiří Přibil, PhD. – head of research group
Ing. Tomáš Dermek – research and development staff

  • mapping physiological and mental effects of scanning in an NMR tomograph on the subject with the aim of minimizing them
  • development and implementation of special prototypes of wearable PPG multi-sensors for real-time monitoring of cardiovascular changes in the tested subject
  • experimental acquisition of multi-channel PPG signals during MR scanning in tomographs operating at low magnetic fields up to 0.2 T
  • processing of PPG signals – detection and quantification of stress parameters
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Preclinical Research Facility Focused on Animal Models – SISCO

Ing. Daniel Gogola, PhD. – head of laboratory
Ing. Marianna Maková, PhD. – researcher
Mgr. Radka Klepochová, PhD. – researcher

RNDr. Svatavka Kašparová, PhD. – researcher (FCHPT STU, Bratislava)
Mgr. Ladislav Bačiak, PhD. – researcher (FCHPT STU, Bratislava)

  • non-invasive study of morphological, chemical, functional and diffusion changes of tissues in preclinical models (mice, rats and small birds) of dementia, depression, obesity and pancreatic tumors
  • in vivo imaging of anatomical structures of the abdominal cavity in mice for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of pancreatic tumor treatment
  • data acquisition using static phosphorus/proton MR spectroscopy from the brain and anatomical/diffusion MR imaging
  • analysis and interpretation of acquired data, including metabolite quantification and structural/diffusion parameter assessment
Other Members of the Research Team of the Department of Imaging Methods

Prof.emeritus Ing. Ivan Frollo, DrSc. – emeritus professor
Štefan Kovačič – technical development staff