Earlier this week an extraordinary logistical operation took place at Research Park Zellik — an initiative of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), UZ Brussel, and Flanders Technology & Innovation — with the delivery of a 7-Tesla MRI scanner manufactured by GE HealthCare. Weighing 42 tonnes, the cutting-edge device was lifted from a lorry and hoisted into its final location via a specially constructed platform and an opening in the building’s façade.
This 7-Tesla MRI scanner is the first of its kind in Flanders and represents the outcome of a unique inter-university collaboration between the five Flemish universities and four university hospitals. Through this joint initiative, the infrastructure will be shared and used to drive pioneering research across disciplines.
Research into Epilepsy, MS, Dementia and More
The scanner will be employed in both fundamental and clinical research into neurological conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), and dementia. It also offers unprecedented capabilities for musculoskeletal imaging (including joints) and oncology. Tumours can now be visualised and monitored with far greater precision, paving the way for more accurate diagnoses and improved treatment options.
A Major Step Forward for Flanders
The arrival of this scanner marks a significant leap forward for Flanders’ research infrastructure. The 7-Tesla MRI provides much higher resolution than conventional MRI systems, enabling researchers to examine the structure and function of the human body in extraordinary detail. This technological advancement places Flanders firmly on the map as a hub for world-class biomedical research.