In addition to the Ohio State University, project collaborators include Case Western Reserve University, Philips Medical Systems of Highland Heights, the Ohio Supercomputer Center, and Rexon Components, Inc in Beachwood, Ohio.

Goals of the funding include:

• The creation of an ultra-high-field 7 Tesla MRI scanner, which will reduce the need for exploratory surgery and permit doctors to closely monitor the effects of medications. It will enable functional imaging research in cancer, neuroscience, and cardiovascular care at OSU.
• Development of a new and more powerful PET scanner to help physicians better understand disease processes and treatment.
• Exploration into mobile imaging facilities and remote access systems that would facilitate advanced diagnostic and imaging capabilities in the field during quickly changing and demanding biohazard events.
• Organization of a powerful, extensive imaging and bioinformatics infrastructure that will integrate the state's scientific community into a virtual think tank for research and development.
• Provide startup funding in the amount of $1 million for support of innovative and promising imaging projects.

Dr. Knopp is the Department of Radiology Chairman and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation Chair for Imaging Research. He is recognized internationally as an expert in the research and clinical applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomograpy (PET), and computed tomography (CT).

His own research involves imaging of angiogenesis and therapy response monitoring, cardiovascular imaging, assessment of molecular and functional imagery and contrast agents.

Listen to the speeches given at the Wright Center of Biomedical Imaging Open House, held August 31st, 2005:

View the Installation Progress of the Wright Center of Innovation in Biomedical Imaging

Read the "Insight" article about the Wright Center

Part of the team instrumental in building the Wright Center for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging seen standing in front of the Philips 7 Tesla MR System. From left: Johannes Heverhagen, MD, PhD, Robert McKenney, PhD, Alex MacDonald (Philips Turnkey Manager), Michael Knopp, MD, PhD, P.I., Michael Reed (Manager – Special Projects Group, H&H Systems and Design, Inc.), John Patrick, PhD, MBA (Director of Business Development, Philips Medical Systems)