MRI detects different tissue properties underlying various biological functions. We are developing advanced MRI methods based on novel imaging contrast mechanisms in both healthy condition and diseases. These properties include the electromagnetic properties, magnetization exchange (e.g., abundance of myelin and protein), fluid and hemodynamics.

We develop MRI data acquisition and reconstruction strategies for the purpose of using MRI as a noninvasive in vivo microscopic tool. With higher field strength, signal and contrast level, mesoscale resolution on the order of 0.5 mm brings us unprecedented details about tissue structure. This holds promises to detect subtle lesions in the early stage of diseases which are not available in the standard clinical practice.

We are dedicated to the clinical translation of the most advanced imaging technologies. At high resolution and high field, MRI is more sensitive to the adverse effect of patient motion. Recently, we developed a robust MRI sequence that simultaneously corrects for head motion and motion-induced B0 changes (Liu et al., Neuroimage, 2019). When used in patients with multiple sclerosis, the technique showed doubled sensitivity to detect small cortical lesions (Liu et al., Investigative Radiology, 2021).