Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about EUPHORIA, hyperpolarised MRI, the partnership, training opportunities, and clinical research activities.
What is EUPHORIA?
EUPHORIA stands for Establishing a UK and European Hyperpolarised Magnetic Resonance Imaging Partnership. It brings together academic institutions, professional bodies, and industrial partners to advance hyperpolarised MRI research, education, and clinical translation.
What is hyperpolarised MRI?
Hyperpolarised MRI is an imaging technique that dramatically increases the MRI signal from specially prepared carbon-13 labelled molecules, allowing researchers to observe metabolism in real time.
How does hyperpolarised MRI differ from conventional MRI?
Conventional MRI primarily visualises anatomy and tissue structure. Hyperpolarised MRI provides additional information about cellular metabolism, helping researchers understand biological processes occurring within tissues.
Is hyperpolarised MRI safe?
Yes. Hyperpolarised carbon-13 MRI uses non-radioactive tracers and does not involve ionising radiation. More than 1,500 injections of hyperpolarised carbon-13 pyruvate have been performed worldwide with a well-established safety record.
What are the main goals of EUPHORIA?
The partnership has two primary themes:
- Demonstrating the repeatability and reproducibility of hyperpolarised MRI.
- Developing high-quality educational programmes for researchers, clinicians, students, and industry partners.
Together these aims will help support the future clinical adoption of the technology.
Which institutions are involved?
EUPHORIA includes universities, hospitals, professional bodies, and industry partners from across the UK and Europe, including Oxford, Cambridge, Nottingham, Aarhus University, ETH Zurich, DTU, the German Cancer Research Center, IPEM, IoP, GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthineers, NVision, PulseTeq, Rapid Biomedical, and JD Coils.
Will EUPHORIA provide training opportunities?
Yes. EUPHORIA is developing a six-month training course combining online learning, practical exercises, mentorship, and an in-person training week. The programme is designed to support both current and future researchers working in the field.
Will data be shared?
The partnership is establishing infrastructure to support secure sharing of anonymised imaging data between participating centres. The long-term aim is to accelerate method development and improve reproducibility across the field.
How long will the partnership run?
The funded partnership is planned over 36 months, with the intention of creating a sustainable network that continues beyond the initial grant period through future collaborative projects and international expansion.
How can I get involved?
Researchers, students, clinicians, industry partners, and institutions interested in hyperpolarised MRI are encouraged to contact the EUPHORIA team through the contact details provided on the website. Future training opportunities and partnership activities will be advertised through the EUPHORIA website and associated communication channels.