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G. Allan Johnson

Charles E. Putman University Distinguished Professor of Radiology
Radiology
Box 3302 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
141D Bryan Neuroscience Bldg, Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710
Office hours 8:30 AM-5:00 PM and by appointment.  

Overview


Dr. Johnson is the Charles E. Putman University Professor of Radiology, Professor of Physics, and Biomedical Engineering, and Director of the Duke Center for In Vivo Microscopy (CIVM). The CIVM is an NIH/NIBIB national Biomedical Technology Resource Center with a mission to develop novel technologies for preclinical imaging (basic sciences) and apply the technologies to critical biomedical questions. Dr. Johnson was one of the first researchers to bring Paul Lauterbur's vision of magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy to practice as described in his paper, "Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging at microscopic resolution" (J Magn Reson 68:129-137, 1986). Dr. Johnson is involved in both the engineering physics required to extend the resolution of MR imaging and in a broad range of applications in the basic sciences.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Charles E. Putman University Distinguished Professor of Radiology · 2002 - Present Radiology, Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Radiology · 2018 - Present Radiology, Clinical Science Departments
Professor in the Department of Physics · 1993 - Present Physics, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Biomedical Engineering · 2021 - Present Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 1974 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published May 5, 2025
Brain ‘Atlas’ to Help Study Neurological Disorders
Published April 17, 2023
Brain Images Just Got 64 Million Times Sharper
Published November 15, 2021
A multicontrast MR atlas of the Wistar rat brain

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Recent Publications


Considerations and recommendations from the ISMRM diffusion study group for preclinical diffusion MRI: Part 2-Ex vivo imaging: Added value and acquisition.

Journal Article Magn Reson Med · June 2025 The value of preclinical diffusion MRI (dMRI) is substantial. While dMRI enables in vivo non-invasive characterization of tissue, ex vivo dMRI is increasingly being used to probe tissue microstructure and brain connectivity. Ex vivo dMRI has several experi ... Full text Link to item Cite

Considerations and recommendations from the ISMRM diffusion study group for preclinical diffusion MRI: Part 1: In vivo small-animal imaging.

Journal Article Magn Reson Med · June 2025 Small-animal diffusion MRI (dMRI) has been used for methodological development and validation, characterizing the biological basis of diffusion phenomena, and comparative anatomy. The steps from animal setup and monitoring, to acquisition, analysis, and in ... Full text Link to item Cite

Considerations and recommendations from the ISMRM Diffusion Study Group for preclinical diffusion MRI: Part 3-Ex vivo imaging: Data processing, comparisons with microscopy, and tractography.

Journal Article Magn Reson Med · June 2025 Preclinical diffusion MRI (dMRI) has proven value in methods development and validation, characterizing the biological basis of diffusion phenomena, and comparative anatomy. While dMRI enables in vivo non-invasive characterization of tissue, ex vivo dMRI i ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Dynamic whole brain maps of neuronal degeneration in Huntington's disease using differential connectomics

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by CHDI Foundation · 2024 - 2027

Ultra-high Resolution Structural Connectome Atlases of the Animal Brain and their Associated Toolbox

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Pittsburgh · 2022 - 2026

Imaging Genetics of Brain Structure and Cognitive Aging in Murine Models of Alzheimer's Disease

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Tennessee Health Science Center · 2021 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University · 1974 Ph.D.