University of Kansas Cancer Center Midwest Pre-Clinical Imaging Center

University Of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City KS

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Abstract The University of Kansas Medical Center seeks to build a state-of-the-art multi-modality pre-clinical imaging facility as a critical element of a campus-wide master planning process. This facility while serving the entire KUMC campus will also be an important asset for our cancer center as it seeks to expand its efforts in developing and utilizing mouse models of cancer by leveraging cutting edge experimental imaging techniques. The campus master planning effort that has taken place over the past year has focused on achieving better alignment of the capabilities of our physical plant with our basic and translational research aspirations, while simultaneously enabling the future expansion of our inpatient clinical facilities. The animal imaging facility will serve the research needs of the entire medical center campus and will be housed within the barrier of a newly constructed campus-wide vivarium that will occupy the first two floors of a planned cancer center building. This facility will be an important asset for the University and region as we seek to expand, modernize and optimize the use of animal models for preclinical translational research activities. Placement of the facility within the vivarium barrier will allow us to reduce the number of animals necessary for specific research projects by enabling serial imaging capability via a wide variety of techniques that are not possible with our current facilities. The current vivarium is approximately 50 years old, is nearing its useful lifespan, is projected to reach capacity within the next five years, cannot accommodate CT or MRI imaging, and occupies land that is needed for a critically important expansion of our inpatient health care facilities. As a result, this C06 opportunity represents an ideal time to rethink, reimagine, and renew our laboratory animal facilities and ensure that they meet the needs of KUMC in the 21st century. The proposed project is a critical element the new vivarium and in realizing the new campus master plan and will provide tenant fit-out of planned shell space on the University of Kansas Medical Center Campus. Cancer center, University, and Health System leadership have made this building their highest collective priority and ~$150 Million have been raised have been raised thus far to fund the joint facility through philanthropic efforts and three Congressionally directed spending allocations.