Small Animal Positron Emission Tomography for Translational Research

描述(由申请人提供)：来自巴尔的摩马里兰大学的14名研究人员，拥有14个RO1项目，2个UO1项目和1个PO1项目，正在申请资金购买一只小动物PET/CT，以推进他们在肿瘤学、神经科学和药理学领域的研究。小动物PET/CT为疾病动物模型的研究提供了独特的机会，是我们将研究从实验室转化为临床应用的关键组成部分。这种组合方式的非侵入性、三维特性允许在同一动物体内进行更长时间的全动物生物分布研究。此外，PET/CT的量化特性允许进行强大的疾病进展研究。这些优势将被我们目前和未来由NIH资助的研究人员利用，他们将作为共享资源获得这项技术。拟议的扫描仪将被安置在一个专门的动物成像设施中，该设施目前配备了一台7特斯拉动物核磁共振扫描仪。新扫描仪的大部分后勤支持已经在动物成像设施中到位，PET/CT的增加预计将补充从MRI获得的高分辨率解剖图像。西门子分子成像部的Inveon多模系统被选为该项目的设备。选择该系统是因为它的多功能性，可以作为独立的单个单元运行，也可以作为组合单元运行。该单元的PET方面提供高空间分辨率、灵敏度和计数率性能，并具有传输成像能力。该仪器的CT方面将在大视野下提供高分辨率的解剖图像，并将允许PET衰减和散射校正。研究人员将能够借鉴放射科在诊断成像领域的丰富经验，特别是成像研究设计和定量图像分析。扫描仪的行政监督将由一个委员会负责，该委员会将监督财务管理、人员配置、仪器维护、研究人员培训和扫描仪的可用性。认识到分子成像和翻译研究的作用越来越大，该机构已做出重大承诺，购买PET/CT系统。拟议的动物PET/CT扫描仪是一个急需的资源，将使当前的研究人员受益，并将促进马里兰大学医疗系统内外不同小组之间未来的合作。 拟议的小动物PET/CT扫描仪将帮助研究人员了解疾病的动物模型和潜在治疗方法的疗效。通过这种方式，动物扫描仪将有助于将基础科学研究的结果转化为对人类的应用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Fourteen investigators with 14 RO1 projects, 2 UO1 and one PO1 projects from the University of Maryland, Baltimore are requesting funds for the acquisition of a small animal PET/CT to advance their research in the areas of oncology, neuroscience and pharmacology. Small animal PET/CT provides unique opportunities for the study of animal models of disease and is a key component towards our aim of translating research from the laboratory to clinical application. The non-invasive, three- dimensional nature of the combined modality allows whole-animal biodistribution studies to be performed over an extended period of time in the same animal. Furthermore, the quantitative nature of PET/CT allows for powerful disease progression studies. These advantages will be exploited by our current and future NIH-funded investigators who will gain access to this technology as a shared resource. The proposed scanner will be housed in a dedicated animal imaging facility which currently accommodates a 7 Tesla animal MRI scanner. Much of the logistical support for the new scanner is already in place in the animal imaging facility and the addition of PET/CT is expected to compliment the high resolution anatomical images obtained from MRI. The Inveon MultiModality system from Siemens Molecular Imaging division has been selected for this project. This system is chosen because of its versatility to operate as independent single units or as a combined unit. The PET aspect of this unit provides high spatial resolution, sensitivity and count rate performance and has transmission imaging capability. The CT aspect of this instrument will provide high resolution anatomical images at a large field of view and will allow for PET attenuation and scatter correction. Researchers will be able to draw upon the considerable experience within the Radiology department in the field of diagnostic imaging, in particular imaging study design and quantitative image analysis. Administrative oversight of the scanner will be handled by a committee which will oversee financial management, staffing, instrument maintenance, training of researchers and scanner availability. Recognizing the growing role of molecular imaging and translational research the institution has made substantial commitment to the acquisition of the PET/CT system. The proposed animal PET/CT scanner is a much-needed resource which will benefit current researchers and will also stimulate future collaborations between different groups within and beyond the University of Maryland Medical System. The proposed small-animal PET/CT scanner will aid researchers in understanding animal models of disease and the efficacy of potential treatments. In this way the animal scanner will help translate the findings of basic science research to applications in humans.