Preclinical Imagining Labs

New York University School Of Medicine, New York NY

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Preclinical Imaging shared resource (PCI) mission is to foster cutting-edge research by providing highly specialized expertise and service in noninvasive small animal imaging to Perlmutter Cancer Center (PCC) members in a collaborative environment. PCI was established in 2011 under the direction of Dr. Youssef Wadghiri in response to growing demand for assorted imaging instruments and modalities. Wadghiri brings more than 32 years of imaging experience and a wealth of expertise in high-throughput strategies implemented in-house. He is aided by an Assistant Director and 3 highly trained scientists. Since its establishment, PCI has expanded steadily by continuously upgrading equipment and acquiring new scanners, while modernizing imaging suites and making them accessible throughout the NYU Grossman School of Medicine campus. Growth has been accompanied by significantly increased usage with 45 PCC members across all four Research programs using PCI during the funding period. Since the last CCSG review, PCI contributed to PCC publications in high impact journals including Nature, Cell, Cancer Discovery, Cancer Cell, and Nature Cancer. Also, 6 additional scanners were acquired, resulting in 18 scanners across 4 research buildings. PCI services also increased from 5 to 7 imaging modalities with the addition of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and single photon emission tomography (SPECT). The expansion and modern, up-to-date, capabilities of PCI enable cost-effective, campus-wide access to cutting-edge imaging technologies to meet the needs of PCC researchers. These needs are assessed regularly via surveys and meetings with an Advisory Board. Renovations are underway for the installation of a third state-of-the-art mouse micro-MRI scanner within the SPF Skirball vivarium projected to be operative in the summer of 2023.