MRI: Development of a High-Resolution Positron Imaging System Dedicated to Plant Research

该主要研究仪器奖资助了一种新型正电子发射断层扫描（PET）系统的开发，该系统使用创新的虚拟针孔探测器几何结构进行植物成像。新的PET系统将提供亚毫米分辨率的PET成像能力。 该系统将完全集成到一个植物生长室中，该室配有照明、温度、湿度和CO2控制，以便在受控环境（包括升高的CO2浓度）下对植物进行研究。放射性气体输送系统和标记设备也将开发并集成到生长室中，以便在受控环境下使用PET示踪剂进行植物成像。 该系统将使几个在植物分子成像研究项目，可以（1）了解作物产量将如何受到大气CO2水平升高的影响;（2）提高木薯的产量并延长其保质期，以帮助解决非洲的粮食短缺问题;（3）通过准确预测产量，加速转基因作物的选择，而无需全面的田间试验;（4）进一步了解植物激素在植物生长调控和抗病中的作用。 研究和开发工作的结果将通过摘要和同行评审的出版物，以及学生和教师在专业会议的积极参与广泛传播。

This Major Research Instrumentation award funds the development of a novel positron emission tomography (PET) system for plant imaging using an innovative virtual pinhole detector geometry. The new PET system will provide sub-millimeter resolution PET imaging capability. The system will be fully integrated into a plant growth chamber that is fitted with lighting, temperature, humidity and CO2 control so that the plant can be studied in a well controlled environment (including elevated CO2 concentrations).Radioactive gas delivery system and labeling apparatus will also be developed and integrated into the growth chamber to enable plant imaging using PET tracers under a controlled environment. The system will enable several in planta molecular imaging research projects that may (1) understand how crop yields will be affected at elevated atmospheric CO2 level; (2) improve the yield and extend the shelf life of cassava to aid food shortage problem in Africa; (3) accelerate the selection of genetically modified crops by accurately predicting the yield without full scale field experiment; (4) better understand the effect of plant hormone for growth control and defending diseases. The results of the research and development efforts will be broadly disseminated through abstracts and peer reviewed publications, as well as by active participation of students and faculty at professional meetings.