Research Group

MRI Acquisition

Group leaders: Lars G. Hanson, Henrik Lundell and Vitaliy Zhurbenko

We improve the speed, robustness, and sensitivity of MR, ultimately benefiting patients via improved diagnostics and disease management. The methods include fundamental physics, coil/sequence development, and advanced data processing techniques for imaging and spectroscopy. Our methods are used for preclinical research at DTU and shared via hospital collaborations and publications.

Our research is carried out from both DTU Health Tech, DTU Space and the DRCMR at Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre.

Most group members, 2025

Research projects

RF coils

An RF coil is the first component in the signal acquisition hardware chain and defines the quality of the signal and, consequently, clarity of the image. Our main research focus in this area is on efficient excitation of the nuclei as well as ultimate limit of MR signal detection through optimal RF coil design.

Cryogenic wide bore receiver array of RF coils.
Vitaliy Zhurbenko

Vitaliy Zhurbenko Associate Professor Department of Space Research and Space Technology Phone: +45 45253820

Wenjun Wang

Wenjun Wang Postdoc Department of Health Technology Mobile: +45 71450742

Rasmus Jepsen

Rasmus Jepsen PhD Student Department of Space Research and Space Technology

Ultra-high field MR

Ultra-high field MRI scanners enable high spectral and spatial resolution but require attention to protocol design and data analysis. We develop experiments with applications for healthy and clinical populations with a focus on resolving small pathologies and metabolic alteration.

The employed 7T MRI scanner at Hvidovre Hospital

Projects: Link to DRCMR

Collaborators: Vanessa Wiggermann, Fanny Kozak

People:

Hans Magnus Henrik Lundell

Hans Magnus Henrik Lundell Associate Professor, DRCMR, Hvidovre Hospital Department of Health Technology

Kristin Engel

Kristin Engel Industrial PhD Student Department of Health Technology

Microstructure elucidation by MR

Relaxation and diffusion properties in tissue reflect microstructure. We optimize protocols for stratifying specific patterns in diffusion of water and metabolites to enhance specificity to microstructure for applications in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

A) Gradient trajectories in diffusion MRI determine the sensitivity to cell shape and size. B) Direct maps resolve elongated/anisotropic cell distribution (top) and density of larger cells (bottom).
Hans Magnus Henrik Lundell

Hans Magnus Henrik Lundell Associate Professor, DRCMR, Hvidovre Hospital Department of Health Technology

Kristin Engel

Kristin Engel Industrial PhD Student Department of Health Technology

Hyperpolarized MR acquisition strategies

We develop optimized data acquisition strategies that are needed to make the most of the available scanning time, not least for hyperpolarized substances that lose their magnetization in minutes. Focuses are excitation schemes and sampling strategies, including high-performing gradients.

Optimized flip angle schemes improve measurements of metabolic rates using hyperpolarized substrates (Illustration from a manuscript by Marie Garnæs et al)
Vitaliy Zhurbenko

Vitaliy Zhurbenko Associate Professor Department of Space Research and Space Technology Phone: +45 45253820

Lars G. Hanson

Lars G. Hanson Groupleader, Associate Professor Department of Health Technology Mobile: 60 61 13 62

Group leaders:

Lars G. Hanson

Lars G. Hanson Groupleader, Associate Professor Department of Health Technology Mobile: 60 61 13 62

Hans Magnus Henrik Lundell

Hans Magnus Henrik Lundell Associate Professor, DRCMR, Hvidovre Hospital Department of Health Technology

Vitaliy Zhurbenko

Vitaliy Zhurbenko Associate Professor Department of Space Research and Space Technology Phone: +45 45253820