Peering inside the human body at organs, tumors and real-time living processes without making a single incision or invasive procedure was once the thing of science fiction. But the ability to produce high-resolution images of soft tissue using magnetic fields, electric currents, radio waves and water molecules – not scalpels – is very real, and it's happening every day in the basement of the Bioscience Research Laboratories building, or BSRL.

"It all seems very Star Treky to me," Andrew Rouse, an associate research scientist and director of the Translational Bioimaging Resource, or TBIR, said, referring to the “tricorder” Dr. Leonard McCoy used on the Enterprise. Long fascinated by biomedical imaging, Rouse is especially interested in the scientific and clinical applications of magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI.

With imaging equipment such as MRI, ultrasound, computed tomography, positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computerized tomography and bioluminescence scanning, the TBIR is the core resource for pre-clinical biomedical imaging and is regularly used by researchers in the U of A’s Colleges of Science, Medicine and Pharmacy, as well as Engineering, Optical Sciences and Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences. Industry partners include those working in biomedical research, medical device development, animal sciences, entomology and even the arts.

With the ability to image humans, small and large animals and even cells, TBIR plays a vital role in studying cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injuries, heart disease, inflammation, post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and many other conditions.

For more of this article, see: https://research.arizona.edu/news/u-core-facilities-highlights-translat…

The ORP Core Facilities Pilot Program is designed to support three key types of activity within the ORP-managed core facilities. Each CFPP proposal will be evaluated on scientific merit and feasibility, and should focus on one or more of the following activity types:

1. The development of new methods or techniques that would extend the standard operating procedures and capabilities of ORP-managed core facilities and potentially impact multiple UA researchers. Successful projects will result in new methods or techniques which will be disseminated to the UA research community via the core’s website, and be incorporated into the core’s standard operating procedures and capabilities.
2. The acquisition of preliminary data needed for extramural proposals. Successful projects will result in at least one new extramural research proposal. PIs must note the specific extramural funding opportunity announcement for which they plan to submit and their anticipated submission date along with their CFPP application. A full justification of the anticipated studies is required.
3. The technical training of students conducting research under existing extramural funding. Successful projects will result in student researchers with the technical skills to operate equipment safely, efficiently and independently within the core facility(ies). PIs should note the student(s) to be trained, the core(s) in which they will be trained, the equipment on which they are to be trained, and the funding source under which the student’s research project is funded. Proposals to train students from traditionally marginalized groups will be given funding priority.

For additional information and to apply, see Arizona Cultivate.

BIO5 is partnering with the Office of Research and Partnerships Core Facilities to offer 4 tours during Arizona Tech Week. Details for each tour are listed below.

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | 10 - 11 a.m.

• Genetics, Genomics & Drug Discovery
• Digital Health Technology & Sensors

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• Mass Spectrometry & Molecular Clinical Core
• State-of-the-Art Bioimaging

Reservations are limited. If a tour is sold out please email BIO5-events@arizona.edu to be added to a waiting list. If you are unable to attend a tour you have signed up for, please email BIO5-events@arizona.edu to cancel.

The ORP Core Facilities Pilot Program is designed to support three key types of activity within the ORP-managed core facilities. Each CFPP proposal will be evaluated on scientific merit and feasibility, and should focus on one or more of the following activity types:

1. The development of new methods or techniques that would extend the standard operating procedures and capabilities of ORP-managed core facilities and potentially impact multiple UA researchers. Successful projects will result in new methods or techniques which will be disseminated to the UA research community via the core’s website, and be incorporated into the core’s standard operating procedures and capabilities.
2. The acquisition of preliminary data needed for extramural proposals. Successful projects will result in at least one new extramural research proposal. PIs must note the specific extramural funding opportunity announcement for which they plan to submit and their anticipated submission date along with their CFPP application. A full justification of the anticipated studies is required.
3. The technical training of students conducting research under existing extramural funding. Successful projects will result in student researchers with the technical skills to operate equipment safely, efficiently and independently within the core facility(ies). PIs should note the student(s) to be trained, the core(s) in which they will be trained, the equipment on which they are to be trained, and the funding source under which the student’s research project is funded. Proposals to train students from traditionally marginalized groups will be given funding priority.

For additional information and to apply, see Arizona Cultivate.

ARPA-H award will fund creation of portable lymphatic imaging scanner
https://news.arizona.edu/news/arpa-h-award-will-fund-creation-portable-lymphatic-imaging-scanner

"As part of the award, the BIO5 Institute will provide $128,000 in cost sharing to upgrade the Translational Biomedical Imaging Resource Core Facility."

The ORP Core Facilities Pilot Program is designed to support three key types of activity within the ORP-managed core facilities. Each CFPP proposal will be evaluated on scientific merit and feasibility, and should focus on one or more of the following activity types:

1. The development of new methods or techniques that would extend the standard operating procedures and capabilities of ORP-managed core facilities and potentially impact multiple UA researchers. Successful projects will result in new methods or techniques which will be disseminated to the UA research community via the core’s website, and be incorporated into the core’s standard operating procedures and capabilities.
2. The acquisition of preliminary data needed for extramural proposals. Successful projects will result in at least one new extramural research proposal. PIs must note the specific extramural funding opportunity announcement for which they plan to submit and their anticipated submission date along with their CFPP application. A full justification of the anticipated studies is required.
3. The technical training of students conducting research under existing extramural funding. Successful projects will result in student researchers with the technical skills to operate equipment safely, efficiently and independently within the core facility(ies). PIs should note the student(s) to be trained, the core(s) in which they will be trained, the equipment on which they are to be trained, and the funding source under which the student’s research project is funded. Proposals to train students from traditionally marginalized groups will be given funding priority.

For additional information and to apply, see Arizona Cultivate.

In early September, dozens of University of Arizona researchers and community leaders gathered to celebrate the installation of two of the most advanced MRI systems available today.

They represent a leap in non-invasive imaging. The AI-driven machines open new possibilities for treating neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as expanding the capabilities for imaging the heart, lungs, liver, even for patients with metallic implants.

“These MRI systems represent a strategic investment in technologies that harness artificial intelligence to improve human health,” said Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, senior vice president for research and partnerships. “By pairing these state-of-the-art tools with U of A's transdisciplinary expertise, we are accelerating innovation in discovery, diagnosis and treatment. This is how we deliver on the promise of AI-driven healthcare.”

Both MRIs are housed in the Translational Bioimaging Resource (TBIR), a university-wide core supported by the Office of Research and Partnerships (ORP). With expanded research facilities, TBIR now provides researchers across campus with broader access to advanced imaging tools and expertise. 

More: https://bio5.org/news/university-arizona-celebrates-new-ai-powered-mri-…

The ORP Core Facilities Pilot Program is designed to support three key types of activity within the ORP-managed core facilities. Each CFPP proposal will be evaluated on scientific merit and feasibility, and should focus on one or more of the following activity types:

1. The development of new methods or techniques that would extend the standard operating procedures and capabilities of ORP-managed core facilities and potentially impact multiple UA researchers. Successful projects will result in new methods or techniques which will be disseminated to the UA research community via the core’s website, and be incorporated into the core’s standard operating procedures and capabilities.
2. The acquisition of preliminary data needed for extramural proposals. Successful projects will result in at least one new extramural research proposal. PIs must note the specific extramural funding opportunity announcement for which they plan to submit and their anticipated submission date along with their CFPP application. A full justification of the anticipated studies is required.
3. The technical training of students conducting research under existing extramural funding. Successful projects will result in student researchers with the technical skills to operate equipment safely, efficiently and independently within the core facility(ies). PIs should note the student(s) to be trained, the core(s) in which they will be trained, the equipment on which they are to be trained, and the funding source under which the student’s research project is funded. Proposals to train students from traditionally marginalized groups will be given funding priority.

For additional information and to apply, see Arizona Cultivate.

Description: The RII Core Facilities Pilot Program is designed to support three key types of activity within the RII-managed core facilities. Each CFPP proposal will be evaluated on scientific merit and feasibility, and should focus on one or more of the following activity types:

1. The development of new methods or techniques that would extend the standard operating procedures and capabilities of RII-managed core facilities and potentially impact multiple UA researchers. Successful projects will result in new methods or techniques which will be disseminated to the UA research community via the core’s website, and be incorporated into the core’s standard operating procedures and capabilities.
2. The acquisition of preliminary data needed for extramural proposals. Successful projects will result in at least one new extramural research proposal. PIs must note the specific extramural funding opportunity announcement for which they plan to submit and their anticipated submission date along with their CFPP application. A full justification of the anticipated studies is required.
3. The technical training of students conducting research under existing extramural funding. Successful projects will result in student researchers with the technical skills to operate equipment safely, efficiently and independently within the core facility(ies). PIs should note the student(s) to be trained, the core(s) in which they will be trained, the equipment on which they are to be trained, and the funding source under which the student’s research project is funded. Proposals to train students from traditionally marginalized groups will be given funding priority.

Due date: May 7, 2025 at 5pm
To apply, see Arizona Cultivate

Description: The RII Core Facilities Pilot Program is designed to support three key types of activity within the RII-managed core facilities. Each CFPP proposal will be evaluated on scientific merit and feasibility, and should focus on one or more of the following activity types:

1. The development of new methods or techniques that would extend the standard operating procedures and capabilities of RII-managed core facilities and potentially impact multiple UA researchers. Successful projects will result in new methods or techniques which will be disseminated to the UA research community via the core’s website, and be incorporated into the core’s standard operating procedures and capabilities.
2. The acquisition of preliminary data needed for extramural proposals. Successful projects will result in at least one new extramural research proposal. PIs must note the specific extramural funding opportunity announcement for which they plan to submit and their anticipated submission date along with their CFPP application. A full justification of the anticipated studies is required.
3. The technical training of students conducting research under existing extramural funding. Successful projects will result in student researchers with the technical skills to operate equipment safely, efficiently and independently within the core facility(ies). PIs should note the student(s) to be trained, the core(s) in which they will be trained, the equipment on which they are to be trained, and the funding source under which the student’s research project is funded. Proposals to train students from traditionally marginalized groups will be given funding priority.

Due date: February 5, 2025 at 5pm
To apply, see UA Cultivate