NIBIB-Supported Biomedical Technology Resource Centers

The Center for Reproducible Neuroimaging Computation seeks to implement a shift in the way neuroimaging research is performed and reported. Through the development and implementation of a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable, Wilkinson et al., 2016) technology stack that supports a comprehensive set of data management, analysis, and utilization frameworks in support of both basic research and clinical activities, our overarching goal is to improve the reproducibility of neuroimaging science and extend the value of our national investment in neuroimaging research. Reproducibility is critical because the current literature is fraught with published results that are due to mistakes or turn out to be false positive (contributed to by the lack of statistical power). More importantly, given the current publication system, it is exceedingly difficult to discern between false positive and true positive finding as data is hard to aggregate, and exact methods are hard to replicate.

The Southwestern NMR Center for In Vivo Metabolism exists to develop and apply new methods for analysis of metabolic networks in intact tissues, animals and human patients. The importance of understanding abnormal metabolism in common diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease has long been appreciated. Because of constraints in technology, however, much of this research has been conducted in isolated systems where clinical relevance may be uncertain. Progress in magnetic resonance technology provides a foundation for major advances towards new ways of imaging metabolism in patients. These new techniques offer the advantage of imaging biochemical pathways without radiation. The focus of this Resource is to bring these technologies to a level where clinical research is feasible through the development of new MR contrast agents, NMR spectroscopy at high fields, and imaging of hyperpolarized 13C.