Technical Resources

MR Imaging

Computational Resources

Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap):

REDCap is a secure, web-based application designed to support traditional case report form data capture for research studies. REDCap is widely used across a large consortium of institutional partners. Investigators can access an intuitive interface for data entry, data validation, audit trails, export procedures, seamless downloads to statistical packages and more. 

Another product is REDCap Survey, a powerful tool for building and managing online surveys with easy data exports to Microsoft Excel, R, and other statistical analysis packages. REDCap also offers an e-consent module for obtaining and documenting informed consent. 

Image Analysis

Functionally identical computing clusters exist within the research institute and our university partner, facilitating system administration and user operation. A variety of image processing and analysis software packages are available. The Carle computing cluster:

• Transfers research data from the 7T MRI scanner and clinical MRI systems to researchers at Carle and Illinois via a secure IT infrastructure.
• Creates virtual machines for users to analyze data.
• Provides a high-performing computing environment.
• Has 50 TB of data storage. 

Image Analysis Equipment

1x Head Node

• PowerEdge R6515
• 1x AMD EPYC 7302P 16-Core Processor
• 128GB Memory

4x Compute Nodes

• PowerEdge R7525
• 2x AMD EPYC 7H12 64-Core Processor
• 1024GB Memory

1x GPU Node

• PowerEdge C4140
• 2x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6230 CPU @ 2.10GHz 20 Core
• 192GB Memory
• 4x GV100GL [Tesla V100 SXM2 16GB]

Chemistry Laboratory

A chemistry lab, suitable for preparing imaging phantoms and more, includes 20 linear feet of bench space, plus: 

• Mettler Toledo 30029076 analytical balance 
• HAUS Aquasearcher AB33PH pH Meter  
• Cole-Parmer 480638 stirring hot plate 
• Assorted glassware, other small supplies, chemicals, etc.  

Resources for Investigators

Affiliating with the Clinical Imaging Research program

To become affiliated, please complete the collaborator interest form to supply your contact information and request information about how to start up a project, obtain training in CCIRP operations and MRI safety, access resources for grant writing, and more.

Starting a project

To start a new project, please email ImagingResearch@carle.com to review your study aims and how imaging can help answer your scientific question. 

• Our User Guide [Link to pdf file] provides an overview of imaging research operations.
• When you have worked out your protocol, you can fill out the initial project review application. 
• To help you describe MRI procedures in your Carle IRB protocol, you can consult the template language generator. 

Accessing resources for your approved project

• Fill out the imaging session registration form.
• If you will use specialized equipment in your study, please fill out the ancillary equipment application.

User Group Meetings 

The Clinical Imaging Research program sponsors a user group meeting on the second Monday of each month from 4-5 p.m., except during the summer. The meetings begin with some brief announcements of interest to all users, followed by a research progress report from an imaging researcher. Please indicate your interest in becoming a member of the user group by completing the collaborator interest form. Find user group meetings on the Events page [Link to Events page].