UAB U-SPECT6CTUHROI Imager

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The broad and long-term objectives of this application is to provide the proposed U- SPECT6CTUHROI instrumentation to the UAB research infrastructure to conduct simultaneous functional and anatomic imaging over a wide array of biological and preclinical applications. The SPECT6CTUHROI system allows for precise anatomic information in 3D by ultra-high resolution (4 voxel) computed tomography (CT) that is coupled with functional imaging with a large number of agents (fluorescent, bioluminescent, and/or radioactive) in the same animal at the same time, providing broad applicability to biological applications. Co-localized functional and anatomic information provides superior understanding of disease pathogenesis and therapeutic response, accelerating research progress, with techniques not yet available to the UAB community. Hence, the scanner creates a paradigm shift in animal research capabilities for our research community. Longitudinal repeated measure designs will be facilitated, improving reproducibility, reducing animal utilization, and empowering more detailed understanding of tissue-level pathogenesis. The equipment will be utilized by a large group of NIH-funded, established, and collaborative investigators spanning multiple disease areas, including respiratory and environmental diseases, kidney disease, and microbiological applications. The multi-modality tool will be integrated into a highly productive and multi-disciplinary research infrastructure, and will improve the understanding and treatment of disorders that affect a wide array of patients. The instrument will be managed by the NIH supported Small Animal Imaging Facility, and co- supported by the Multi-disciplinary Respiratory Imaging Core, the Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, and the UAB-UCSD O'Brien Center for Acute Kidney Injury, providing a strong base of users, expertise in image acquisition and analysis, and several complementary imaging techniques housed in these facilities. The strong and sustainable management plan will assure access to the primary user base and beyond in a sustainable platform intended to foster multi-disciplinary research of substantial impact.