Established in 2014, the HMRI Imaging Centre (IC) is a state-of-the-art facility, that provides medical researchers and clinicians easy access to advanced medical imaging services.
Run in partnership with HMRI, the University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health, the HMRI Imaging Centre is the premier choice for advanced functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion MRI, cardiac/abdominal MRI, MRSI and multinuclear capabilities in the Hunter region.

Located behind HMRI on the John Hunter Hospital campus, the HMRI Imaging Centre uses world-leading Siemens MAGNETOM Prisma 3T scanner technology and boasts exceptional gradient strength for enhanced high-resolution images, supported by the latest research tools and specialised processing software. 

Benefits of MRI to Researchers

MRI is a powerful and versatile imaging technique widely used in medical research. 

• Provides detailed, high-resolution images of the internal structures of the human body including the brain, heart, muscles and joints, allowing researchers to study the anatomy with high clarity. 

• Is non-invasive and safe for patients and research participants. It does not pose the same risks as X-rays or CT scans making it ideal for longer-term studies. 

• MRI allows for functional imaging, enabling researchers to observe brain activity in real-time by detecting changes in blood flow. It also allows for research on brain connectivity, allowing medical researchers the ability to study connectivity and communication between different regions of the brain 

• Preclinical research: MRI is not limited to human research; it is also widely used in preclinical models, offering a way to investigate diseases and potential treatments in a controlled and non-invasive manner. 

• Allows for researchers to assess treatment efficacy of therapeutic interventions by tracking changes in tissue structure or disease progression over time.