Cyclotron for Molecular Imaging Program at USC

描述（由申请人提供）：在过去的几年里，在NCRR和其他NIH研究所的多个奖项的支持下，南加州大学建立了一个分子成像中心。这些机构的支持已用于购买用于小型实验动物研究的几种小型化x射线、光学、超声和无线电核扫描仪，以及用于临床前和临床PET研究的显像剂无线电合成的热细胞，以及用于人体的3T MRI。分子成像工作的一个核心组成部分是用于生产正电子发射同位素的医用回旋加速器的可用性。不幸的是，由于它的年龄（近20年），现有的回旋加速器不能再满足我们在南加州大学和周围社区不断扩大的研究人员网络的需求。该提案要求为南加州大学健康科学校区的替代回旋加速器提供资金。所要求的设备将被安置并在分子成像中心的放射化学设施中操作，在那里它将补充其他共享使用的设备。所选择的仪器具有许多有利于高效操作的特点，包括能够可靠地生产足够数量和特定活性的PET放射性同位素，用于基础放射化学研究以及使用当前和未来的放射性药物进行临床前和研究性临床成像研究；操作人员友好；最大限度地提高操作人员的辐射安全；对环境无害，放射性释放最少，并能有效利用公用设施；具有强大的，可编程和可升级的操作系统，具有非现场监控和诊断能力；停机时间最短；并配有强大的服务和配件支持系统。此外，主要系统组件的制造、设备组装和服务合同工作都在美国境内提供，最大限度地提高了购买对美国创造就业机会和安全的影响。代表医学、化学、药理学和工程学等多个学科的研究人员将使用所要求的回旋加速器。所要求的仪器的增加将提高来自南加州大学、加州理工学院和希望之城的phs资助的研究人员在这些领域的工作效率。这些研究人员的发现和进步最终将对当地社区和一般公共卫生产生直接的积极影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): During the last several years, a molecular Imaging Center has been established at USC with support over the last year from multiple awards from the NCRR and other NIH Institutes. Support from these agencies has been used to purchase several miniaturized versions of x-ray, optical, ultrasound and radio nuclear scanners for studies in small laboratory animals, as well as hot cells for radio synthesis of imaging agents for pre-clinical and clinical PET studies, and a human use 3T MRI. A central component of the molecular imaging effort has been the availability of a medical cyclotron for production of positron-emitting isotopes. Unfortunately, because of its age (nearly 20 years), the existing cyclotron can no longer service the needs of our ever-expanding network of investigators at USC and in the surrounding community. This proposal requests funding for a replacement cyclotron on the USC Health Sciences Campus. The requested device will be housed and operated in the Radiochemistry Facility of the Molecular Imaging Center, where it will complement other shared-use devices. The instrument chosen has numerous features conducive to efficient operation, including, ability to reliably produce PET radioisotopes in sufficient quantity and specific activity for use in basic radiochemistry research as well as for pre-clinical and investigative clinical imaging studies with current and future radiopharmaceuticals; is operator friendly; maximizes radiation safety of operators; is environmentally friendly with minimal radioactivity release and efficient use of utilities; has a robust, programmable and upgradable operating system with off-site monitoring and diagnostics capability; has minimal downtime; and comes with a strong service and parts support system. In addition, manufacturing of the primary systems components, assembly of device and service contract work are all provided for within the US, maximizing the impact of the purchase on US job creation and security. Investigators representing multiple disciplines including medicine, chemistry, pharmacology, and engineering, will use the requested cyclotron. Addition of the requested instrument will increase the productivity of assembled PHS-funded investigators from USC, Caltech and City of Hope who are working in these areas. The discoveries and advancements made by these investigators will ultimately have a direct positive impact on the local community as well as public health in general. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Laboratory, along with the complementary molecular imaging resources available at USC, are indispensable to the growth of a broad spectrum of research programs at USC. Replacement of the aging cyclotron will strengthen both ongoing work in oncology, neurosciences, chemistry, pharmacy and genetic medicine by researchers, as well as greatly enhancing the ability of this Core to support new research. This enhancement will allow our investigators to continue to conduct cutting-edge research that will be reflected in our future grant submissions and publications.