Dear YNiC Users,
preparations for the construction of the new Centre for
Hyperpolarisation (CHyM) are scheduled to start with the next week, with
the build anticipated to last for about 10 months. During the course of
the building work the YNiC entrance doors will not be in use and all
users and visitors are therefore requested to access YNiC via the main
BioCentre reception doors.
During the course of the works Claire and I will be in the temporary
YNiC reception office which can be found to the left hand side of the
BioCentre reception desk. Our contact details will remain the same.
The participant forms will not be moved to the temporary office so
anyone needing access to these is requested to see any member of YNiC
staff for assistance. Please continue to drop off participant forms in
the post box.
Further updates about the progress of the building work will be issued
in due course and a display including the building plans can be found in
the BioCentre foyer area.
With best wishes,
Jo.
--
............................
Jo Saunders
Centre Manager
YNiC
The BioCentre
York Science Park
YORK
YO10 5DG
Email: Joanna(a)ynic.york.ac.uk
Tel: (01904) 435343
Fax: (01904) 435356
Tues, Wed & Thurs
.............................
Dear All, please find below the announcement for a PhD studentship in the
University of Milano-Bicocca. Regards, Giulia
University of Milano-Bicocca, Department of Psychology
Four-year Ph.D. Research Studentship
Deadline: October 10th, 2011
A fully-funded Ph.D. studentship beginning in January 2012 for 4 years is
available within the Doctoral School in Psychology and Cognitive Science,
Department of Psychology at University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy,
for applicants interested in the study of cognitive functions (language,
verbal STM, executive functions) in neuropsychological patients and in
unimpaired subjects by means of TMS, tDCS and fMRI. Also research on deaf
and deafblind individuals is currently performed. These are topics
available in the Doctoral Training Program in "Experimental Psychology,
Linguistic and Cognitive Neuroscience", which has available a total of six
4-year full time studentships. Two summer schools will be also organized.
The successful applicant will have access to all the facilities available
within the TMS-EEG (and EMG) lab at the Department of Psychology, as well
as Eye-Trackers, ERP, fMRI (the latter within a Hospital nearby the
University), neurosurgery patients undergoing awake surgery for tumor
removal and neuropsychological patients in several different hospitals in
MIlano. We encourage application from candidates with a demonstrable
interest in working with patients or with experience on the different
methodologies. Applications are welcome from UK and EU as well as non-EU
citizens. Candidates should have, or expect to get, an undergraduate degree
in Psychology or a related discipline. A Master degree in psychological
research methods or a cognate discipline would be an advantage.
Funding will consist of a monthly salary of approximately 1,170 Euros plus
support for travel and equipment.
The deadline for application is October 10th, 2011. Selection will take
place in the form of a written test and oral colloquium in October.
Information about how to apply can be found at the following links:
- italian version:
http://www.unimib.it/open/news/Bando-XXVII-ciclo-corsi-di-Dottorato-condeco…
- english version: courtesy english translation:
http://www.unimib.it/open/news/Announcements-englishversion/824598639538508…
"Announcement for courses that will begin on 1st January 2012" (page 15 of
the .pdf file).
Enquires about how to apply can be e-mailed to the following address:
phdpsineco(a)unimib.it
Please, feel free to contact prof. Costanza Papagno with questions.
Dipartimento di Psicologia
Università di Milano-Bicocca
e-mail: costanza.papagno(a)unimib.it
Skype: costanza1411
Please feel free to pass this information on to any interested
undergraduate or master student you may know.
Dear Users
Today (4-5 pm in YNiC) there will be a talk by Dr. Peter van Zijl from
Johns Hopkins University and the Kennedy Krieger Institute.
http://www.kennedykrieger.org/kki_staff.jsp?pid=1064
The title of Dr van Zijl's talk is "Chemical Exchange Saturation
Transfer (CEST) contrast agents". Please see below for the talk abstract.
Everyone is welcome to attend and refreshments will be provided after
the talk.
Best wishes
Rebecca
Abstract:
CEST agents1,2 exploit exchangeable protons to achieve contrast in MRI.
This can be
accomplished by using radiofrequency saturation at the NMR frequency of
these protons and
monitoring of the transfer of this saturation to the water protons
imaged in MRI. When
continuous saturation is applied, strong sensitivity enhancements
(factors of hundred to
hundreds of thousands depending on the protons) can be attained to image
micromolar
compounds. CEST agents have been broadly classified in terms of
containing paramagnetic
metals (paraCEST) or not (diaCEST). The main characteristic of diaCEST
agents is that the
chemical shift range of their exchangeable protons is limited to a range
of approximately 6-7
ppm positive with respect to the water signal, which can be extended by
another 6-7 ppm
through hydrogen bonding of the exchangeable site. Currently, protons
used for diaCEST
include OH (hydroxyl, ~0-3ppm from water), NH2 (amine ~0-3 ppm from
water), NH (amide, ~3-
4ppm from water; imino, ~5-7ppm from water). The main compounds are
carbohydrates
(sugars), peptides and proteins, and nucleic acids, which is important
to mention because these
are natural bio-organic substances. MRI is an insensitive method and,
contrary to PET and
optical approaches, the application of contrast agents often requires
physiologically
incompatible (micromolar-millimolar) concentrations. Unlike paramagnetic
metallic contrast
agents, diaCEST provides natural, non-metallic labels. As a consequence,
this methodology
has already allowed the use of many agents in vivo in animals, while
endogenous markers such
as cellular peptides and sugar derivatives are even been studied in
humans. Recent data
suggest that amide proton transfer (APT) may provide a biomarker for
separating tumor
recurrence from treatment necrosis in the brain. ^3
In this presentation, an overview will be given of current diaCEST
agents as well as of
their applications and pitfalls. Based on its non-invasive character,
diaCEST is expected to
revolutionize the rapid translation of contrast agents to the clinic.
The field is evolving rapidly
and many novel exogenous agents and endogenous markers are expected to
be discovered in
the near future.
Reference: 1) Ward KM et al. J Magn Reson 2000;143:79–87. 2) van Zijl
PC, Yadav NN. Magn Reson
Med. 2011;65(4):927-48. 3) Zhou J. et al. Nat Med. 2011;17(1):130-4.
--
************************************************************************
Dr. Rebecca E. Millman
Science Liaison Officer
York Neuroimaging Centre
The Biocentre
York Science Park
Heslington
YO10 5DG
Tel: +44 (0) 1904 567614
Fax: +44 (0) 1904 435356
Dear Users
This *Wednesday* (4-5 pm in YNiC) there will be a talk by Dr. Peter van
Zijl from Johns Hopkins University and the Kennedy Krieger Institute.
http://www.kennedykrieger.org/kki_staff.jsp?pid=1064
The title of Dr van Zijl's talk is "Chemical Exchange Saturation
Transfer (CEST) contrast agents". Please see below for the talk abstract.
Everyone is welcome to attend and refreshments will be provided after
the talk.
Best wishes
Rebecca
Abstract:
CEST agents^1,2 exploit exchangeable protons to achieve contrast in MRI.
This can be
accomplished by using radiofrequency saturation at the NMR frequency of
these protons and
monitoring of the transfer of this saturation to the water protons
imaged in MRI. When
continuous saturation is applied, strong sensitivity enhancements
(factors of hundred to
hundreds of thousands depending on the protons) can be attained to image
micromolar
compounds. CEST agents have been broadly classified in terms of
containing paramagnetic
metals (paraCEST) or not (diaCEST). The main characteristic of diaCEST
agents is that the
chemical shift range of their exchangeable protons is limited to a range
of approximately 6-7
ppm positive with respect to the water signal, which can be extended by
another 6-7 ppm
through hydrogen bonding of the exchangeable site. Currently, protons
used for diaCEST
include OH (hydroxyl, ~0-3ppm from water), NH2 (amine ~0-3 ppm from
water), NH (amide, ~3-
4ppm from water; imino, ~5-7ppm from water). The main compounds are
carbohydrates
(sugars), peptides and proteins, and nucleic acids, which is important
to mention because these
are natural bio-organic substances. MRI is an insensitive method and,
contrary to PET and
optical approaches, the application of contrast agents often requires
physiologically
incompatible (micromolar-millimolar) concentrations. Unlike paramagnetic
metallic contrast
agents, diaCEST provides natural, non-metallic labels. As a consequence,
this methodology
has already allowed the use of many agents in vivo in animals, while
endogenous markers such
as cellular peptides and sugar derivatives are even been studied in
humans. Recent data
suggest that amide proton transfer (APT) may provide a biomarker for
separating tumor
recurrence from treatment necrosis in the brain. ^3
In this presentation, an overview will be given of current diaCEST
agents as well as of
their applications and pitfalls. Based on its non-invasive character,
diaCEST is expected to
revolutionize the rapid translation of contrast agents to the clinic.
The field is evolving rapidly
and many novel exogenous agents and endogenous markers are expected to
be discovered in
the near future.
Reference: 1) Ward KM et al. J Magn Reson 2000;143:79–87. 2) van Zijl
PC, Yadav NN. Magn Reson
Med. 2011;65(4):927-48. 3) Zhou J. et al. Nat Med. 2011;17(1):130-4.
--
************************************************************************
Dr. Rebecca E. Millman
Science Liaison Officer
York Neuroimaging Centre
The Biocentre
York Science Park
Heslington
YO10 5DG
Tel: +44 (0) 1904 567614
Fax: +44 (0) 1904 435356
Dear Users
Today (4-5 pm in YNiC) there will be a talk by Dr Aneurin Kennerley from
the University of Sheffield.
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/psychology/staff/research/aneurin-kennerley
The title of Dr Kennerley's talk is "Concurrent 7T fMRI and 2-D Optical
Imaging Spectroscopy: Towards building a forward model between neuronal
activity and the BOLD signal". Please see below for the talk abstract.
Everyone is welcome to attend and refreshments will be provided after
the talk.
Best wishes
Rebecca
Abstract:
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has become the cornerstone
of cognitive neuroscience in recent years. The widely used Blood
Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) signal is often used to interpret
changes in neuronal activation. However, at present, a biophysical
understanding of the neurovascular drivers of the BOLD signal is not
clear and thus hinders any quantitative estimation of the underlying
neuronal activity.
Neuroimaging research at the University of Sheffield drives towards
building a forward biophysical model of this complex relationship. As
part of this multidisciplinary group my research is aimed at developing
a general model of the BOLD signal which can model both intra- and
extra- vascular MR signals, across a wide range of imaging parameters,
from estimates of the haemodynamic changes.
Validation and refinement of the haemodynamic response models underlying
fMRI signals, an essential precondition for the correct interpretation
of human BOLD data requires invasive multimodal animal imaging. I have
developed an innovative in-vivo methodology for concurrent fMRI and 2D
optical imaging spectroscopy (2D-OIS) techniques for simultaneous
measurement of BOLD signal and underlying haemoglobin changes to
neuronal activation in the healthy rodent model.
Applications of this technology include: 1) Understanding of the
negative BOLD signal (Boorman et al 2010). Most researchers assume a
negative BOLD to be a result of either neuronal inhibition or vascular
steal. It is only with the simultaneous, independent measurement of
haemoglobin changes (with 2D-OIS) that one could disassociate any
possible physiological relationships; 2) Refinement of mathematical and
biophysical models of both the BOLD signal and optical imaging
spectroscopy techniques (Kennerley et.al. 2009); 3) Calibration of
non-BOLD fMRI techniques such as VASO and ASL; 4) Interpretation of
abnormal BOLD responses; specifically in disease and trauma conditions
in which either neuronal or haemodynamic breakdown could be responsible.
[1] Boorman, L.W. et.al. (2010) /Journal of Neuroscience/. /30(12):
4285-94;/ [2] Kennerley, A.J. et.al (2009) /NeuroImage 47:1608-1619/;
--
************************************************************************
Dr. Rebecca E. Millman
Science Liaison Officer
York Neuroimaging Centre
The Biocentre
York Science Park
Heslington
YO10 5DG
Tel: +44 (0) 1904 567614
Fax: +44 (0) 1904 435356
Dear Users
This Thursday (4-5 pm in YNiC) there will be a talk by Dr Aneurin
Kennerley from the University of Sheffield.
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/psychology/staff/research/aneurin-kennerley
The title of Dr Kennerley's talk is "Concurrent 7T fMRI and 2-D Optical
Imaging Spectroscopy: Towards building a forward model between neuronal
activity and the BOLD signal". Please see below for the talk abstract.
Everyone is welcome to attend and refreshments will be provided after
the talk.
Best wishes
Rebecca
Abstract:
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has become the cornerstone
of cognitive neuroscience in recent years. The widely used Blood
Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) signal is often used to interpret
changes in neuronal activation. However, at present, a biophysical
understanding of the neurovascular drivers of the BOLD signal is not
clear and thus hinders any quantitative estimation of the underlying
neuronal activity.
Neuroimaging research at the University of Sheffield drives towards
building a forward biophysical model of this complex relationship. As
part of this multidisciplinary group my research is aimed at developing
a general model of the BOLD signal which can model both intra- and
extra- vascular MR signals, across a wide range of imaging parameters,
from estimates of the haemodynamic changes.
Validation and refinement of the haemodynamic response models underlying
fMRI signals, an essential precondition for the correct interpretation
of human BOLD data requires invasive multimodal animal imaging. I have
developed an innovative in-vivo methodology for concurrent fMRI and 2D
optical imaging spectroscopy (2D-OIS) techniques for simultaneous
measurement of BOLD signal and underlying haemoglobin changes to
neuronal activation in the healthy rodent model.
Applications of this technology include: 1) Understanding of the
negative BOLD signal (Boorman et al 2010). Most researchers assume a
negative BOLD to be a result of either neuronal inhibition or vascular
steal. It is only with the simultaneous, independent measurement of
haemoglobin changes (with 2D-OIS) that one could disassociate any
possible physiological relationships; 2) Refinement of mathematical and
biophysical models of both the BOLD signal and optical imaging
spectroscopy techniques (Kennerley et.al. 2009); 3) Calibration of
non-BOLD fMRI techniques such as VASO and ASL; 4) Interpretation of
abnormal BOLD responses; specifically in disease and trauma conditions
in which either neuronal or haemodynamic breakdown could be responsible.
[1] Boorman, L.W. et.al. (2010) /Journal of Neuroscience/. /30(12):
4285-94;/ [2] Kennerley, A.J. et.al (2009) /NeuroImage 47:1608-1619/;
--
************************************************************************
Dr. Rebecca E. Millman
Science Liaison Officer
York Neuroimaging Centre
The Biocentre
York Science Park
Heslington
YO10 5DG
Tel: +44 (0) 1904 567614
Fax: +44 (0) 1904 435356
Some users may need to be aware of this particular bug in EEG.
--
Claire Fox
PA to Professor Gary Green
The York Neuroimaging Centre
Innovation Way
Science Park
York
YO10 5DG
Tel: 01904 435329
Fax: 01904 435356
Email: Claire.fox(a)ynic.york.ac.uk
FYI
---------------------------------------
Dear colleagues,
We would like to invite you to contribute your research to our special
issue on the role of brain oscillations in language processing, to
appear in Frontiers in Language Science.
You can visit the web site at:
_http://www.frontiersin.org/languagesciences/specialtopics/brain_oscillatio…
See detailed description below.
The call has been very successful so far and prominent figures in the
field have joined us in this project.
We are looking forward to receiving your research.
Best wishes,
Lucia Melloni & Marcela Pena
*Brain Oscillations during Language Processing: from Perception to
Production *
/Deadline for abstract submission: 01 Sep 2011 /
/Deadline for full article submission: 15 Dec 2011 /
Language processing is a seemingly effortless task that requires the
integration of speech units (e.g., phonemes, syllables, words, etc.)
occurring at different rates. In particular, temporal binding for speech
should occur within and across different temporal scales, necessitating
multiple simultaneous windows of integration for prosodic, semantic,
syntactic and pragmatic processing. Recent evidence suggests that
neuronal oscillations may reflect both tracking linguistic units at
their individual rhythms as well as integrating speech units over a
large range of temporal scales.
The present Research Topic would like to evaluate current theories and
evidence for a mechanistic role of neuronal oscillations in measuring
language processing, covering the latest advances brought about by EEG,
MEG and fMRI imaging methods. Our main focus is to highlight innovative
and foundational studies that go beyond methodological issues and
advance our theoretical understanding of the role of brain oscillations
in language processing. Contributions from the pioneers of this field
are selected, illustrating how the study of brain oscillations has
allowed investigating theoretically relevant questions that could not be
addressed by more traditional methods. The topic thus aims at deepening
our mechanistic understanding of language processing and bringing us
closer to bridging the gap between brain, mind and behavior for the
crucial cognitive function of speech.
Hosted By:
Marcela Pena <http://www.frontiersin.org/people/MarcelaPena/5634>,
Catholic University of Chile, Chile
Lucia Melloni <http://www.frontiersin.org/people/LuciaMelloni/32689>,
Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Germany
------------------------------
Lucia Melloni, Ph.D
Max Planck Institute for Brain Research
Deutschordenstr. 46
60528 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
lucia.melloni(a)brain.mpg.de <mailto:lucia.melloni@brain.mpg.de>
T: +49 69 96769-268 <tel:%2B49%2069%2096769-268>
F: +49 69 96769-327 <tel:%2B49%2069%2096769-327>
--
Gary Green