1. Accueil
  2. EN
  3. Studying at ULB
  4. Find your course
  5. UE
MEDI-H506

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Biomedical Nanotechnology

academic year
2025-2026
2026-2027

Course teacher(s)

Gilles BRUYLANTS (Coordinator) and Thierry METENS

ECTS credits

5

Language(s) of instruction

english

Course content

Magnetic resonance imaging

Basis of nuclear magnetic resonance and Bloch equations. MRI Image and contrast formation. Fourier MRI. Relationship between sampling in the Fourier space and features in the final image. Fourier sampling schemes Signal to noise ratio and artefacts in MRI. MRI of coherent and incoherent motions, angiography, diffusion, functionnal MRI, Echo train imaging. Parallel imaging Simultaneous multislice imaging. Practical demonstrations in Erasme Hospital.

Biomedical Engineering

  • (Bio)molecular sensors: the course will cover the aspects of molecular recognition related to the development of chemo- and biosensors, as well as the different possible transduction modes.
  • Development of fluorescent probes and contrast agents for imaging and radiology.
  • Development of nanosystems for the controlled release of active substances in the body.

Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)

Introduction to the physical principles of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

After the course the student should be able to

1. identify and analyse a MRI Sequence

2. understanding the Fourier signal sampling and the link between Fourier space and Image space

3. To realise a MRI acquisition, taking into account SNR, artefcts, duration and spatial resolution

4. to understand the differences between spin Echo and gradient echo sequences

5. To calculate the expected signal by solving the Bloch equations, including train echo physics chemical shift and diffusion

6. to understand the principles of parallel imaging, simultaneous multislice excitation

The Biomedical Nanotechnologies course provides an overview of recent developments in biological chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, and nanochemistry for the development of (bio)molecular sensors, contrast agents, and smart drug delivery systems. Students will be able to draw on the skills they have acquired in different fields of engineering and biomedical sciences (electricity, spectroscopies, biological chemistry, etc.) to meet the demand for new, more effective systems for medical diagnosis and therapy.

Teaching methods and learning activities

  • Interactive lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations.
  • Seminars delivered by invited subject-matter experts.
  • Practical sessions conducted on the MRI scanners at Erasme Hospital.

Course notes

  • Université virtuelle

Contribution to the teaching profile

This teaching unit contributes to the following competences:

  • Measure physical quantities related to living systems, both morphological and functional.
  • Process and analyze signals of all types, including 1D signals, images, and videos, particularly those generated by medical devices.
  • Understand fundamental biological mechanisms, from cell biochemistry to the functioning of the major systems of human physiology.
  • Translate biological constraints into engineering requirements and anticipate the impact of technological developments on living systems (choice of materials, manufacturing processes, etc.).
  • Manage, explore, and analyze medical data, including electronic health records, medical imaging, genomics, and statistical data.

Other information

Contacts

Prof. Gilles Bruylants: e-mail: gilles.bruylants@ulb.be; Office: P2.2.110.

Campus

Erasme, Solbosch

Evaluation

Method(s) of evaluation

  • Oral examination
  • Group work

Oral examination

  • Examination with preparation

Group work

I. IRM: oral examination.

II. Nanotechnologies: presentation of a project related to the course. 

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

geometry mean

Language(s) of evaluation

  • english

Programmes