Molecular-based imaging provides new opportunities to assess vital cellular processes in vivo. The ability tomonitor the molecular processes of cancer via non-invasive imaging may provide critical informationregarding the effects of therapy. In the context of pre-clinical research, the use of in vivo imaging permits theacquisition of a complete dynamic biodistribution study in each animal, thereby reducing the number ofanimals required to reach a statistically adequate result; often the techniques used in small animal imagingare directly transferable to the clinical setting. The Small Animal Imaging Core (SAIC) is a new sharedresource dedicated to providing investigators access to the state-of-the-art in small animal imagingcapabilities for use in basic and translational research relevant to the mission of the City of Hope CancerCenter.
Specific aims of the SAIC include: (1) maintaining a thorough understanding of the currentcapabilities and limitations of small animal imaging as they pertain to cancer research; (2) implementing,developing, calibrating, maintaining, and operating relevant imaging systems within the context of a smallanimal imaging laboratory; and (3) optimizing the use of small animal imaging in research at City of Hope byconsulting with investigators. Core personnel currently include a Director, an imaging physicist, and amanager, all of whom are highly experienced in the use of imaging for research with animals. Small animalimaging systems in operation include two units for bioluminescence optical imaging (I VIS 100, XenogenCorp.); a gamma camera (Y IMAGER, Biospace, Inc.); a PET scanner (microPET R4, CTIMI, Inc.); and a CTscanner (microCAT II Hi Res, CTIMI, Inc.). The microPET and microCAT are readily used in tandem togenerate co-registered functional-anatomic PET/CT images. The Animal Resources Center has providedfour rooms within the Parvin Biomedical Research Building for use by the animal imaging program (one roomfor the microPET, microCAT, and the y-IMAGER; two rooms for the Xenogen MS machines; and one roomfor a gamma counter). A system has been developed for billing users for a portion of the costs of the imagingprocedures. During the first 12-month reporting period, the SAIC was used by 13 Cancer Center membersfrom 3 Research Programs and peer-reviewed usage represented 89% of total usage. Annual budget for thecore is $165,922 (97% institution, 3% chargebacks); 42% ($70,000) is being requested from the CCSG.
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