Florida Atlantic University Launches World's First Integrated MRI and Focused Ultrasound Research Platform
Florida Atlantic University has unveiled a groundbreaking medical research platform that combines advanced MRI and focused ultrasound technologies in a single environment. This global first, housed at the new Florida Atlantic NeuroInnovate Center, aims to dramatically accelerate the discovery and delivery of treatments for complex neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The initiative reflects a comprehensive “bench-to-bedside” approach, allowing researchers to move from preclinical studies to human trials within the same facility.
According to FAU President Adam Hasner, this integrated setup marks a milestone for both the university and the broader medical community, positioning the state of Florida as a leader in research and healthcare innovation. The system allows researchers to observe disease mechanisms, test therapies in real time using high-resolution imaging, and seamlessly transition promising treatments into clinical trials. It features both preclinical and clinical MRI systems along with a low-frequency focused ultrasound unit, enabling noninvasive therapeutic applications.
FAU's Vice President for Research, Dr. Gregg Fields, emphasized the platform's potential to transform science and medicine by bridging laboratory discoveries with real-world applications. Focused ultrasound, which uses converging beams of acoustic energy to target tissue, is already being explored for various clinical uses, from neurological disorders to cancer and pain management.
Through strategic partnerships with Delray Medical Center, Baptist Health’s Boca Raton Regional Hospital, and the VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach, the NeuroInnovate Center will facilitate translational research and patient care. This builds upon FAU’s existing collaboration with Insightec and Delray Medical Center, which first brought focused ultrasound into a clinical setting to treat movement and cognitive disorders.
Clinicians and scientists are optimistic about the possibilities. Dr. Lloyd Zucker, medical director of neurosurgery at Palm Beach Health Network, noted the noninvasive precision of the technology, while Dr. Michael Dobbs of FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine highlighted the unprecedented ability to monitor blood flow and treatment effects in real time. Dr. Lewis Nelson, dean of the Schmidt College of Medicine, underscored the system’s educational value in training future physicians, scientists, and engineers.
The NeuroInnovate Center adds to FAU’s growing profile as a top-tier R1 research university. It is strategically connected with major neuroscience institutes on its Jupiter campus, including the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, and the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. According to Dr. Randy Blakely, executive director of the Brain Institute, the platform will be pivotal in studying developmental and neurological conditions like ADHD, autism, and Parkinson’s in preclinical models, paving the way for more targeted and effective treatments.
This integrated system includes cutting-edge technologies such as GE Healthcare’s SIGNA™ Premier 3.0T MRI, NordicNeuroLab’s functional MRI system, and Bruker BioSpec preclinical MRI systems. It also features in-scanner EEG and Biopac physiological monitoring, creating a seamless environment for research, diagnostics, and therapeutic interventions.
With this launch, Florida Atlantic University is setting a new global standard for neuroscience research, clinical innovation, and medical education—all under one roof.