Brain imaging is a tool that helps understand debilitating brain conditions – something that affects many individuals across the globe – and a new project spearheaded by University of Malta researchers aims to enhance just that.
The functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) helps us understand how our brain functions and is a non-invasive way of studying conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and schizophrenia.
This project aims to tackle these challenges by developing an innovative brain phantom—a synthetic model used for testing and calibrating MRI scanners. These phantoms act as training tools for medical imaging. Unlike current brain phantoms, which have certain limitations, the UM project seeks to create a more advanced model that better replicates the intricate features of the human brain, specifically for functional MRI (fMRI) research.
Dr Claude Julien Bajada, Prof. Therese Hunter and Dr Brandon Charles Seychell from the UM’s Department of Physiology & Biochemistry are leading the project, which is in its initial stages.
The team’s approach involves creating a brain-shaped phantom using hydrogels—gel-like materials that mimic the properties of brain tissue. The innovation lies in their plan to embed specific biomolecules, such as proteins, into the phantom.
They will explore whether these biomolecules can be manipulated to produce signals detectable by an fMRI scanner, similar to those generated by a real brain. This integration of signal-producing biomolecules into a brain phantom represents a ground-breaking advancement in the field.
“At this initial stage, we are investigating the potential of incorporating these biomolecules to develop a phantom that offers a more realistic and controllable testing environment for fMRI research. This could represent an important step toward advancing the technology,” explained Dr Bajada.
The project “Synthetic Anatomy for Radiological Applications – Generating a Functional MRI Phantom” (SARA) is expected to run until the end of April 2026.
It is funded by Xjenza Malta through the Research Excellence Programme (grant no. REP-2024-033), on behalf of the Foundation for Science and Technology.