IIT-Delhi unveils advanced MRI facility to boost research

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi inaugurated its state-of-the-art MRI research facility on Thursday, marking a major leap forward in neuroimaging and brain research in the country. The facility, located at the Centre for Biomedical Engineering (CBME), houses a cutting-edge 3T MRI machine, the first of its kind in the country exclusively dedicated to research.

The facility is the first-of-its-kind among leading engineering and technology institutions in India, dedicated exclusively to research and teaching. Unlike conventional MRI setups embedded within hospital ecosystems, this facility is designed to foster unrestricted innovation in medical imaging, particularly in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

“This facility will enable research and innovation in imaging and support IIT-Delhi's efforts to create new knowledge at the interface of science, engineering and medicine to make an impact in healthcare,” said Prof Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT-Delhi.

Located within the Centre for Biomedical Engineering (CBME) at IIT-Delhi, the facility will initially support research using phantoms. With appropriate regulatory approvals, it will extend to clinical studies involving volunteers. The centre will also serve as a hands-on training platform for students enrolled in IIT-Delhi medical imaging courses, enhancing their practical exposure to advanced imaging technologies.

“This advanced imaging facility will help several researchers from different disciplines at IIT-Delhi. This will also open up several opportunities for research collaborations with medical institutes in NCR and across India,” Prof Vivek Buwa, Dean of Planning, IIT-Delhi, added.