Researchers will need to submit a research protocol to use MRI equipment at the Advanced Imaging Research Center (AIRC).

Process Overview

1. Submit Protocol
2. Protocol Review
3. Build and Test Protocol on Instrument(s)
4. Study Team Training: Safety Compliance, Scheduling
5. Institutional Compliance (IRB/IACUC Approval)
6. Schedule Scans

Step 1: Protocol submission

To submit an investigator-initiated, funded human MRI protocol for the 3T or 7T, please fill out the Study Procedure Application. 

For Industry-Sponsored Clinical Trials, please email the sponsor’s MRI site questionnaire and MRI manual to Laura Trachsel at mcmahola@ohsu.edu. For scans to be acquired at AIRC, the scan must be billed to the sponsor.  If a read is required, the read also must be billed to the sponsor. The AIRC is an out-patient facility and cannot accommodate general anesthesia requests.

To submit a human MRI development time (no scanner fee charge) application for the 3T or 7T, please fill out Human Subject Application Development Time form.

To submit a protocol for the 12T, please fill out the MR Protocol Approval Application.

All forms can be emailed to Laura Trachsel at mcmahola@ohsu.edu.

Step 2: Protocol review

For human MRI protocol review, or other studies on the 3T or 7T instruments:

For investigator-initiated studies, the protocol will be reviewed by the Human Subjects Committee, which evaluates new and continuing studies based on scientific feasibility and safety. The committee meets monthly.  The approval process will take no longer than 2 weeks following the monthly meeting. The Human Subjects Committee Chair will contact the PI when we have reviewed the submission.

For industry-sponsored clinical trials, AIRC will review the MR protocol for feasibility and respond to the study team as soon as possible.  The Human Subjects Committee will typically not need to review industry-sponsored clinical trials.

For non-human protocol review, or protocols on the 12T instrument:

The Animal Subjects Committee meeting will meet as needed to evaluate new and continuing studies based on scientific feasibility.  The committee chair will contact the PI when we have reviewed the submission.

Step 3: Build and Test Protocol on Instrument(s)

Once the new protocol is approved by the appropriate committee, AIRC will work with the PI to build the protocol on the instrument(s) and equipment to be used in the study.  Each study will have quality assurance (QA) testing done on the protocol prior to the first real study.  Please do not schedule in iLab until AIRC has confirmed your protocol has been built, MRI operators are trained, and that your protocol is ready.

Step 4: Study Team Training: Safety Compliance, Scheduling

AIRC requires OHSU faculty, staff, students, and volunteers to be trained in MRI safety and screened for MR contraindications prior to obtaining badge access.  Individuals who need badge access to AIRC must complete AIRC Safety Training protocols. 

Step 5: Institutional Compliance

All protocols must be approved by IRB and/or IACUC before conducting studies at AIRC. Principal Investigators (PI) can submit Protocols to the Advanced Imaging Research Center (AIRC) before approval has been granted by IRB and/or IACUC to begin initial review process.

Grant review teams at OHSU

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

OHSU Institutional Review Board

Step 6: Schedule Scans

When all prior steps are complete, the study team is now ready to schedule scans at AIRC.  Please refer to scheduling instructions.

Resources for Grant Submissions 

For interest or guidance in developing an MR protocol for an upcoming grant application, please reach out to Laura Trachsel to be connected with an AIRC faculty member with expertise in your area of interest.

For grant application Facilities and Resources information, rates, or further help on budget development for a grant, email Laura Trachsel at mcmahola@ohsu.edu. 

How to acknowledge the AIRC in Publications

The use of data generated in a core facility in a grant application, progress report or publication contains the implicit understanding that the PI or authors will acknowledge the use of the core facility.  Such acknowledgments are essential for obtaining continued support. 

If core personnel provide significant intellectual input to a study submitted for publication, then it is reasonable and appropriate to include them as co-authors.  Since circumstances vary widely, each case should be considered individually, and the core should be consulted for review prior to publishing.

Any project that uses AIRC resources should acknowledge the Oregon opportunity partnership for advancing biomedical research.

For studies utilizing the 3T Siemens Prisma MRI instrument located in the Lamfrom Biomedical Research Building, the recommended acknowledgement is:  "This work was supported by NIH S10OD021701 for the 3T Siemens Prisma MRI instrument, housed in OHSU’s Advanced Imaging Research Center."

For all studies that have utilized the 12T MRI instrument, researchers should also acknowledge the W. M. Keck Foundation,  “The 12T MRI instrument used in this work was supported by a grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation.”

For studies utilizing the 12T MRI instrument equipped with the Bruker AVANCE NEO (console upgrade in March 2024), the additional recommended acknowledgement is: "This work was supported by NIH S10OD030459 for the 11.7T Bruker MRI Instrument, housed in OHSU's Advanced Imaging Research Center."

For studies utilizing the AIRC Computing Cluster, the recommended acknowledgement is: "This work was supported by NIH S10OD018224 for the High Performance Computing Cluster, housed in OHSU’s Advanced Imaging Research Center."

For studies utilizing the 32-channel head coil, the recommended acknowledgement is:  "This work was supported by NIH S10OD016356 for a 32-channel radiofrequency head coil, housed in OHSU’s Advanced Imaging Research Center."