MRI: Development of a High-Resolution Positron Imaging System Dedicated to Plant Research

这一重大研究仪器奖资助了一种新型正电子发射断层扫描(PET)系统的开发，该系统使用创新的虚拟针孔探测器几何结构进行植物成像。新的PET系统将提供亚毫米分辨率的PET成像能力。该系统将被完全集成到装有照明、温度、湿度和二氧化碳控制的植物生长室中，以便可以在受控良好的环境(包括升高的二氧化碳浓度)中研究植物。还将开发放射性气体输送系统和标记设备，并将其集成到生长室中，以便在受控环境下使用PET示踪剂进行植物成像。该系统将为几个植物分子成像研究项目提供支持，这些项目可能：(1)了解大气中二氧化碳水平升高对作物产量的影响；(2)提高木薯的产量并延长其货架期，以解决非洲的粮食短缺问题；(3)通过准确预测产量，加快转基因作物的选择；(4)更好地了解植物激素对生长控制和预防疾病的作用。研究和开发工作的结果将通过摘要和同行评议的出版物以及学生和教职员工积极参加专业会议的方式广泛传播。

This Major Research Instrumentation award funds the development of a novel positron emission tomography (PET) system for plant imaging using an innovative virtual pinhole detector geometry. The new PET system will provide sub-millimeter resolution PET imaging capability. The system will be fully integrated into a plant growth chamber that is fitted with lighting, temperature, humidity and CO2 control so that the plant can be studied in a well controlled environment (including elevated CO2 concentrations).Radioactive gas delivery system and labeling apparatus will also be developed and integrated into the growth chamber to enable plant imaging using PET tracers under a controlled environment. The system will enable several in planta molecular imaging research projects that may (1) understand how crop yields will be affected at elevated atmospheric CO2 level; (2) improve the yield and extend the shelf life of cassava to aid food shortage problem in Africa; (3) accelerate the selection of genetically modified crops by accurately predicting the yield without full scale field experiment; (4) better understand the effect of plant hormone for growth control and defending diseases. The results of the research and development efforts will be broadly disseminated through abstracts and peer reviewed publications, as well as by active participation of students and faculty at professional meetings.