Africa’s first research-dedicated full-body 3T MRI scanner ushers in a new era of imaging research to advance healthcare management of relevant diseases. 

A new research facility, The Cape Universities Body Imaging Centre at UCT (CUBIC-UCT), will advance understanding of diseases relevant to South Africa and Africa at large. Cutting-edge imaging technology will be used to study diseases such as Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, Cardiomyopathy, Neurological and Psychiatric diseases and Cancer among others. 

Equipped with Africa’s first research-dedicated full-body high-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, the unit is one of the UCT Faculty of Health Sciences’ core research facilities.  “This state-of-the-art machine ushers in a new era of imaging research, including cardiac, abdominal and muscoskeletal studies,” says head of CUBIC-UCT, Professor Ernesta Meintjes. 

“It is like working in a live laboratory,” explains Meintjes.  The scanner is able to non-invasively assess the structure, function, metabolism and integrity of tissues, facilitating diagnosis and enabling studies of disease progression and prognosis. 

Included in the facility is a mock scanner room where the experience and sounds of the MRI sequences are recreated to alleviate anxiety before the scanning procedure, which is particularly helpful with younger patients. 

CUBIC-UCT was recently launched at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH). CUBIC is a joint initiative between Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, Siemens and the Medical Research Council. 

“The goal is to develop and foster technical expertise, drive knowledge production and dissemination, and contribute to the improvement of health of South Africans,” says Head of Medicine at UCT and Groote Schuur Hospital, Prof Bongani Mayosi. 

The 3 Tesla Siemens Skyra, valued at R24 million was funded by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Cancer Research Trust (CRT) after four years of tireless fundraising by a multi-disciplinary team. 

In addition to innovation, CUBIC-UCT will contribute to the development of scarce skills and human capacity. The unit houses a conference room and will host a variety of hands-on courses and seminars aimed at MR radiographers, radiologists, cardiologists and other related disciplines. Although the core focus of the center is research, it also provides a limited clinical service, and will reduce backlogs currently experienced at Groote Schuur Hospital.