Imaging Research

Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

IMAGING RESEARCH SHARED RESOURCE PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT The mission of the Imaging Research Shared Resource (Imaging SR) has been to provide all regional cancer investigators with comprehensive preclinical and clinical imaging capabilities and services to deliver in vivo and in situ imaging assessments of cancer. Established in 2005, the Imaging SR has now grown to become a multi- institutional SR with two sites at Case Western Reserve (CWRU)/University Hospitals (UH) and Cleveland Clinic (CC) integrating comprehensive, state-of-the-art imaging capabilities for both animal models of cancer (CWRU/UH and CC sites), as well as pediatric and adult patients (CWRU/UH site). The Imaging SR is supported by a well-established operational and administrative infrastructure including centralized imaging facilities at each site led by Flask, Chen and Androjna (Co-Directors) and supported by 9 highly-skilled Imaging SR staff with over 100 years of combined imaging expertise. The aims of the Imaging SR are to provide both imaging services and training on state-of-the-art imaging systems to all regional cancer investigators including: 1) high-volume preclinical bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging services; 2) custom-designed radionuclides for preclinical PET imaging capabilities to assess tumor progression, therapy, and metabolism; 3) novel in situ cryo- fluorescence imaging to direct cell/gene therapies; 4) MRI and MR Fingerprinting assessments for both mouse cancer models and cancer patients. Importantly, imaging services at both sites are available to all regional investigators through established, compliant inter-institutional agreements and operational processes. The capabilities and services provided by the Imaging SR have significantly expanded during the current funding cycle through investments by regional institutions, the NIH, and industrial collaborators including: 1) two new research-dedicated Siemens Vida 3T human MRI scanners (CWRU/UH site, ~$5M investment by CWRU/UH and Siemens); 2) a new Cubresa PET insert for the first small animal PET-MRI in the region (CWRU/UH site, ~$400K from NIH S10 award); 3) an upgraded 9.4T small animal MRI scanner supporting MR Fingerprinting development (CWRU/UH site, ~$1.1M investment by CWRU); 4) a new Mediso nanoscan PET/CT (CC site, ~$900K from NIH S10 award); and 5) a new Vevo F2 rodent ultrasound to support novel nanobubble development (CWRU/UH site, ~$400K investment by CWRU). The custom radiochemistry synthesis capabilities provided by the CWRU/UH site are also available to both sites to support novel preclinical PET imaging studies.