Dedicated Small-animal SPECT System

描述（由申请人提供）：此共享仪器提案是购买具有多针孔成像能力的专用小动物SPECT系统。美国国立卫生研究院资助的研究项目需要该系统，旨在开发新的分子显像剂和使用标准放射性示踪剂来研究基本的生物过程和评估治疗干预的影响。该提案描述了9个主要项目，其中小动物的SPECT研究将用于评估癌症生物学和骨折愈合的基本问题。该系统将位于小动物成像中心（CSAI），与代表其他主要体内成像方式的系统（超声、生物发光/荧光、微ct、微pet、MRI和MRS）一起。CSAI作为大学的核心设施，作为范德比尔特大学成像科学研究所的一部分运作。SPECT系统将由一组经验丰富的成像科学家和高素质的支持人员提供支持。它将成为我们癌症成像机构培训计划支持的博士后培训生的关键资源。范德比尔特大学是田纳西小鼠基因组联盟和人类癌症小鼠模型联盟的成员。人类疾病小鼠模型的广泛研究将受益于这种新工具的可用性，它将使研究人员能够探索疾病的机制和特征，研究疾病的进展，并评估新的诊断和治疗方法。SPECT放射性示踪剂固有的转化性质意味着通过该系统研究开发的知识和工具将有一条通往临床的途径，因此，将有助于加强从实验室到床边的研究。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This shared instrument proposal is for purchase of a dedicated small-animal SPECT system with multi-pinhole imaging capability. The NIH-funded research projects that require this system are aimed at developing new molecular imaging agents and the use of standard radiotracers to investigate fundamental biological processes and to assess the impact of therapeutic interventions. This proposal describes nine major projects in which SPECT studies of small animals will be used to assess fundamental questions in cancer biology and bone-fracture healing. The system will be located in the Center for Small Animal Imaging (CSAI) alongside systems representing the other major in vivo imaging modalities (ultrasound, bioluminescence/fluorescence, microCT, microPET, MRI and MRS). The CSAI functions as a Core Facility for the university and operates as part of the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science. The SPECT system will be supported by an experienced group of imaging scientists and a highly qualified support staff. It will be a key resource for postdoctoral trainees supported by our institutional training program in cancer imaging. Vanderbilt University is a member of both the Tennessee Mouse Genome Consortium and the Mouse Models of Human Cancer Consortium. This extensive research in mouse models of human disease will benefit from the availability of this new tool that will enable investigators to probe disease mechanisms and characteristics, to study disease progression, and to assess both novel diagnostics and therapeutics. The inherently translational nature of SPECT radiotracers means that the knowledge and tools developed through research with this system will have a pathway to the clinic and, therefore, will help to enhance research from bench to bedside.