Research Areas: Imaging for Cardiovascular Therapeutics, Biomedical Multimodality Hybrid Imaging, Mechanisms By Which Low Frequency Magnetic Fields Interact With Biological Systems
Since founding the Lawson Imaging Research Program in the 1980s Frank Prato has led the introduction of a number of new imaging technologies here in London. For example in 1982 his laboratory produced the first human MRI in Canada. Since 2002 Frank has focused on the introduction of new molecular imaging methods including the establishment of advanced positron emission tomography (PET) facilities in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In 2012 the Lawson Imaging Research team installed Canada’s first human hybrid PET/MRI at Lawson’s St. Joseph’s Hospital site. Currently Frank is involved in the PET/MRI imaging of neuro-degenerative diseases caused by dementia and mental illness as well as in the study of cardiac diseases that lead to heart failure. Frank’s focus is to improve early diagnosis of disease to limit disability caused by chronic disease/conditions. Frank’s program is located within the hospital/patient environment as Imaging research is an essential part of the patient care continuum