This presentation comprises of overviews of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) principles and applications in clinical arena; illustration of several ongoing MRI technique and application developments in basic biomedical research using animal models, particularly in four areas: microvascular imaging to study vascular factors in neurodegenerative diseases; cardiac imaging in mouse models; sodium imaging in oncologic study; and MRI body composition measurement for obesity research. Speaker: Ed X. Wu (Associate Professor, Medical Engineering Programme & EEE Department, Jockey Club MRI Engineering Centre, Faculty of Engineering, the University of Hong Kong)