In Vivo MicroCT Scanner

描述(由申请人提供)：我们请求资金购买Sanco viva MicroCT型号40，该设备使扫描活的小动物成为可能，目的是成像器官，评估心脏功能，量化骨小梁和皮质骨，并获得有关骨骼结构的信息。它还可以快速准确地测量骨体积、连通性和结构的组织形态计量学指数。该仪器将被7个主要用户使用，他们是R·帕西菲博士(P.I.)，G.Beck，L.W.K.Chung，M.S.Nanes，H.Shim M.N.Weitzmann博士，W.Lewis，他们是埃默里大学7个RO-1和1个P0-1，1个P20，1个P50和1个VA优异奖助金，并在埃默里大学开展骨、艾滋病毒-艾滋病、纳米颗粒和癌症研究项目。此外，将有两个小用户，D.Durden博士和M.Goodman博士，他们是1 RO1，1 P50和R56资助金的P1，并对肿瘤学感兴趣。P.I.的合作者、MicroCT专家罗伯特·古尔德伯格博士将负责仪器的维护和操作。帕西菲尼博士将利用微型CT研究T细胞在甲状旁腺激素和雌激素作用机制中的作用。钟博士将利用微CT研究骨转移，纳内斯博士将利用微CT来确定肿瘤坏死因子阻止骨形成的机制。Shim博士将利用MicroCT显示肿瘤生长情况，Beck博士和Weitzmann博士将协助他们研究纳米颗粒对骨骼的影响。刘易斯博士将使用微型CT来评估接受艾滋病毒药物治疗的小鼠的心脏功能。德登博士将研究PI-3激酶抑制剂对脑瘤的影响。古德曼博士将利用微型CT对脑肿瘤进行可视化检查。体内MicroCT将促进这些项目中的每一个，因为它将补充和/或替代体外MicroCT和骨组织形态计量学，以及用于心功能分析的2D ECHO。拥有微型CT的好处有几个。1)这将有可能扩大计划中的研究，提供关于骨骼结构的体内数据，这一能力目前尚不具备。2)与其他方法相比，MicroCT的灵敏度和精确度更高，从而增加了群体分离，从而增强了以决定性方式解释数据的能力。3)在某些情况下，可能会减少研究的持续时间或样本量，从而节省大量资金。4)我们将能够以更快的速度进行研究。5)体内显微CT能力的提高将为合作、培训新的研究人员和开辟新的研究领域提供更多的机会。 公共卫生相关性：获得体内微型CT将使研究人员能够了解骨质疏松症和其他骨骼疾病的原因和治疗方法，利用活体动物的骨结构数据扩大他们的研究，获得更高的敏感性和精确度，这将导致更多的群体分离和结论性解释，减少研究的持续时间或样本量，从而节省大量资金，提高以更快的速度进行研究的能力，增加更多的合作机会和培训新的研究人员，这可能会打开新的研究领域。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We request funds to purchase a Scanco viva MicroCT model 40, a devise which makes it possible to scan live small animals with the purpose of imaging organs, evaluate heart function, quantify trabecular and cortical bone and obtain information about bone structure. It also allows rapid and accurate measurements of histomorphometric indices of bone volume, connectivity and structure. This instrument will be utilized by 7 major users [Drs. R. Pacifici (P.I.), G. Beck, L.W.K. Chung, M.S. Nanes, Dr. H. Shim M.N. Weitzmann, W. Lewis, who are PI for 7 RO-1s and 1 P0-1, 1 P20, 1 P50 and 1 VA merit grant, and run research programs, on bone, HIV- AIDS, nanoparticles, and cancer at Emory University. In addition, there will be 2 minor users, Drs. D. Durden, and M. Goodman who are P1 of 1 ro1, 1 P50 and a R56 grants, and have interests in oncology. Dr. Robert Guldberg, a collaborator of the P.I. and an expert on MicroCT will be in charge of the maintenance and operations of the instrument. Dr. Pacifici will utilize microCT in studies on the role of T cells in the mechanism of action of PTH and estrogen. Dr. Chung will utilize the microCT to study bone metastasis, Dr. Nanes will use microCT to determine the mechanism by which TNF blocks bone formation. Dr. Shim will utilize the microCT to visualize tumor growth, Dr. Beck and Weitzmann will be aided in their studies on the effects of nanoparticles in bone. Dr. Lewis will use microCT to assess heart function in mice treated with HIV drugs. Dr. Durden will study the effects of PI-3 kinase inhibitors on brain tumors. Dr. Goodman will utilize the microCT to visualize brain tumors. In vivo MicroCT will facilitate each of these projects as it will complement and/or substitute in vitro microCT and bone histomorphometry, and 2D echo for heart function analysis. The advantages of having a microCT are several. 1) It would make possible to expand the planned studies with in vivo data about bone structure, a capability which is currently not on hand. 2) The greater sensitivity and precision of microCT over other methods would results in increased group separation and thus increased ability to interpret the data in a conclusive manner. 3) In some cases it may be possible to decrease the duration of the studies or the sample size with considerable financial savings. 4) We would be able to conduct our studies at a much faster pace. 5) The increased capability of in vivo microCT would provide additional opportunity for collaborations, training of new investigators and opening new fields of research. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Access to an in vivo microCT would allow researchers into causes and cures for osteoporosis and other bone disorders, to expand their studies with data about bone structure from live animals, gain access to greater sensitivity and precision which would results in increased group separation and conclusive interpretation, decrease the duration of studies or the sample size with considerable financial savings, improve the ability to conduct studies at a much faster pace, add additional opportunity for collaborations and training of new investigators which may open new fields of research.