The goal of RPCI's Preclinical Imaging Resource (PIR) is to advance small animal imagingmethodology at the molecular, cellular and biosystem level. This is accomplished by facilitating developmentof novel basic science and clinical research, promoting advances in biotechnology, fostering development ofnew Pharmaceuticals and assessing in vivo drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy. The PIR currently offerscustomized magnetic resonance (MR) protocols designed to answer specific questions related to: (i) cancerdetection, (ii) tumor vascular function, (iii) therapeutic response, (iv) animal phenotyping and (v)pharmacokinetic /pharmacodynamic modeling. In addition, the Resource provides whole-body fluorescenceimaging of live animals and facilitates collaborative microPET research in conjunction with the University atBuffalo (UB).
The aim i s to provide readily available access and training to noninvasive, state-of-the-art invivo imaging technologies at an affordable cost to CCSG members. The PIR is available 24 hours/day, 7days/week.Three general types of MR services are offered: (a) instrumentation and expertise to acquire highresolution (< 50 urn2 in-plane spatial and < 100 ms temporal) heteronuclear imaging and spectroscopy data,(b) expertise and software for quantitative image analysis and (c) visualization of 2D and 3D data sets forprobing structural/functional relationships. MR instrumentation includes a 4.7 T wide bore (33 cm) magnetincorporating Bruker's Avance platform with ParaVision 4.0 OS, shielded Accustar gradients and digitalsystem electronics. The MR system represents the highest magnetic field strength scanner available within200 miles of RPCI. Recently expanded services include whole body in vivo optical and multispectralfluorescence imaging. Intravital Microscopy (IVM) using a MR compatible window chamber is also availablefor fluorescence imaging with MR validation. Data acquisition, hardcopy, display, qualitative/quantitativeanalysis and 3D renderings of digitally acquired data sets are offered as chargeback services.The Resource is used by five programs and 99% of users are CCSG members. $65,218 in CCSGsupport is requested, representing 12% of the total operating budget.
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