Magnetic Resonance Microscopy in Biological Systems
Summary
Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) extends conventional magnetic resonance imaging to the microscopic domain, enabling non-invasive visualisation of biological structures at cellular and subcellular scales. By leveraging ultra-high magnetic fields, specialised gradient systems and miniature radiofrequency coils, MRM achieves spatial resolutions in the single-digit micrometre range. This capability bridges the gap between histological techniques and clinical imaging, offering three-dimensional insight into cellular morphology, tissue architecture and metabolic distributions without exogenous contrast agents. Applications span developmental biology, plant–microbe interactions, neuroscience and muscle physiology, providing unprecedented detail on cell-specific processes and their perturbations in disease. Ongoing technical advances aim to enhance signal-to-noise performance, reduce scan times and integrate complementary modalities, thereby broadening the utility of MRM for both fundamental research and clinical translation.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent developments have delivered a bespoke microscopy insert for horizontal preclinical scanners that combines a high-efficiency gradient coil with a low-noise amplifier, yielding up to 27 T m–1 gradient strength and a three-fold improvement in signal-to-noise ratio. Using an optimised constant-time imaging sequence, this platform achieved isotropic resolution of around (9 µm)3 in zebrafish embryos, demonstrating robust cell-level contrast and rapid volumetric acquisition. Another milestone is the implementation of MRM at 22.3 T for plant root nodules, where a home-built 1.5 mm solenoid coil enabled (7 µm)3 imaging and localised spectroscopy. Individual infected and uninfected nodule cells were resolved in three dimensions, and spatially localised spectra revealed heterogeneous distributions of betaine, asparagine/aspartate and choline. This work affirms the potential of ultra-high-field MRM to map both morphology and metabolism in intact biological specimens.
Magnetic Resonance Microscopy in Biological Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in magnetic resonance microscopy in biological systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Magnetic Resonance Microscopy (MRM): A branch of magnetic resonance imaging designed to achieve micrometre-scale spatial resolution through specialised hardware and high magnetic field strengths.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): A measure of image quality defined as the ratio of the desired MR signal amplitude to the background noise level; higher SNR enables finer spatial resolution or shorter acquisition times.
RF Coil: A radiofrequency transceiver coil used to transmit excitation pulses and receive MR signals; miniature or solenoid coils enhance sensitivity for small samples.
Gradient Strength: The maximum magnetic field variation per unit distance generated by gradient coils; stronger gradients improve spatial encoding and achievable resolution.
Isotropic Resolution: The property of having equal spatial resolution in all three imaging dimensions, ensuring uniform voxel geometry and accurate three-dimensional reconstructions.
References
- Magnetic resonance microscopy for submillimeter samples in a horizontal MR scanner. Scientific Reports (2024).
- Magnetic Resonance Microscopy at Cellular Resolution and Localised Spectroscopy of Medicago truncatula at 22.3 Tesla. Scientific Reports (2020).
- Assessing spatial resolution, acquisition time and signal-to-noise ratio for commercial microimaging systems at 14.1, 17.6 and 22.3 T. Journal of Magnetic Resonance (2020).
- MR-compatible optical microscope for in-situ dual-mode MR-optical microscopy. PLOS ONE (2021).
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