Thomas H. Mareci, Ph.D.
Professor
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|
|
Thomas H. Mareci, Ph.D. |
|
|
Study of Nervous System Structure and Function with Magnetic Resonance Our research focuses on fundamental questions about tissue structure and biochemical processes in the nervous system of living organisms, which are accessible to study with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. To provide a detailed understanding of the living system, we are examining tissue structure and function in vivo, and then we are extending these measurements to much higher resolution with NMR microscopy. In addition, we are developing unique NMR measurement and processing methods, and custom hardware/software systems for our studies of tissue, and cellular and molecular processes. Our current projects are the following: 1) We are developing and using magnetic resonance to image nervous tissue fiber structure in white and gray matter (see figure below of human brain in vivo) and to measure functional connectivity between gray matter regions, in order to produce network graphs of the functioning brain. 2) We are studying convection drug delivery in the nervous system using dynamic contrast enhanced MR imaging in vivo. As part of this study, we are modeling the kinetics of enhancement in a longitudinal study of drug distribution and how this is affected by tissue barriers. 3) We are designing and constructing unique RF coils to enhancement sensitivity. In particular, we are developing implanted coils, which are inductively coupled to an external coil during measurements, and that provide significant improvements in signal-to-noise ratio. Because of the gains possible, these coils allow the acquisition of very high spatial-resolution MR images and spectra. Future work will be directed toward the NMR measurement in vivo of a neurochemical profile of the brain for the study of nervous system disorders, like epilepsy.
|
Status: Possibly Accepting New Students This Year Contact Information: office: LG-183, McKnight Brain Institute lab: LG-152B, McKnight Brain Institute phone: 392-3375; Lab, 392-2332 email: thmareci@ufl.edu Home Page Biography: Thomas Mareci received a doctoral degree in physical chemistry in 1982 from Oxford University for his work on nuclear magnetic resonance multiple-quantum spectroscopy. Dr. Mareci joined the faculty of the University of Florida in 1982 and was appointed the Director of the Center for Structural Biology in 1993. He is an affiliate faculty member of the Departments of Physics and Biomedical Engineering and a member of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, where he is helping to develop the in vivo magnetic resonance program. He has published over 65 journal articles and 12 book chapters. |
BMB Home Research Areas BMB Faculty
