A SPECT_CT Scanner for Preclinical Imaging Studies

描述(申请人提供)：这项建议的广泛、长期目标是更好地了解人类疾病的基础生物学，并改进癌症、心血管疾病、生殖障碍、急性肺损伤、骨科缺陷和类风湿性关节炎的诊断和治疗。目前还没有体内的临床前研究 西北大学的放射性核素成像或CT能力。请拨资金购买一台临床前SPECT/CT扫描仪，专门用于小动物成像研究。该扫描仪将在支持西北大学多个NIH资助的项目(PPG)和研究人员发起的项目的基础和临床前研究活动中发挥至关重要的作用。扫描仪提供的成像能力将使原本难以或不可能使用替代方法获得的测量结果成为可能。该扫描仪将有助于将研究从分子/细胞水平提升到系统水平，并为临床翻译提供临床前验证。这款扫描仪的推出还将促进新的合作和刺激 成像技术的发展。放射性核素成像的优势包括灵敏度、可量化数据和信号在组织中的穿透深度。这些特点使其适合于在生理相关水平上研究分子事件。将有利于当前研究项目的放射性核素成像工具包括先进的分子成像、生物标记物开发、示踪动力学、剂量学和功能成像。CT模块为放射性核素成像研究中的数据分析提供解剖学信息。作为一种独立的成像技术，CT在形态测量方面是表征硬组织和其他X射线不透明材料不可或缺的工具。总体而言，临床前SPECT/CT扫描仪提供的技术将实现定量、非侵入性和纵向测量，满足技术需求并促进广泛的生物医学研究项目的进步。为了适应这一工具，该大学在财政支持、成像专业知识、管理团队、业务人员和基础设施方面做出了具体承诺。该扫描仪将成为西北大学现有多模式成像核心设施的重要组成部分。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The broad, long-term objective of this proposal is to better understand the fundamental biology that underlies human diseases, and to improve diagnostics and therapeutics for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, reproductive disorders, acute lung injury, orthopedic defects and rheumatoid arthritis. There is currently no preclinical in vivo radionuclide imaging or CT capability at Northwestern University. Funds are requested for the purchase of a preclinical SPECT/CT scanner dedicated to small animal imaging studies. The scanner will play a vital role in supporting basic and preclinical research activities from multipl NIH-funded Program Projects (PPGs) and Investigator-Initiated Projects at Northwestern University. The imaging capabilities offered by the scanner will enable measurements that are otherwise difficult or impossible to obtain using alternative methods. The scanner will help bring studies from a molecular/cellular level to a system level, and provide preclinical validations for clinical translation. The availability of this scanner will also foster new collaborations and spur imaging technology development. The strengths of radionuclide imaging include sensitivity, quantifiable data, and depth of signal penetration in tissues. These features make it suitable for studying molecular events at physiologically relevant levels. Radionuclide imaging utilities that will benefit current research projects include advanced molecular imaging, biomarker development, tracer kinetics, dosimetry, and functional imaging. The CT module provides anatomical information for assisting data analysis in radionuclide imaging studies. As a stand-alone imaging technique, CT is an indispensable tool for characterizing hard tissues and other X-ray-opaque materials in terms of morphometric measurements. Overall, techniques offered by the preclinical SPECT/CT scanner will enable quantitative, noninvasive and longitudinal measurements that address the technological needs and enhance the advancements of a wide range of biomedical research projects. To accommodate this instrument, the University has made concrete commitments in terms of financial support, imaging expertise, management team, operational staff and infrastructure. The scanner will become an important component at the existing multimodality imaging core facility at Northwestern University.