Project Summary / Abstract
This proposal aims to upgrade the imaging capability of the Johns Hopkins Positron Emission
Tomography (PET) Center with new high-performance, human-scale PET/CT instrumentation.
PET is a non-invasive, molecular imaging technique that can be used to visualize and quantify
functional processes in-vivo. A wide variety of biological processes and disease states can be
studied by selection of an appropriate radiopharmaceutical. This flexibility and the scope for
creating new radiopharmaceuticals to interrogate different targets means that the same scanner
system can be used for a variety of research purposes. PET has made major contributions across
many different fields including neuroscience, oncology, cardiology and others. The proposed new
PET/CT instrument will be used exclusively for research and will replace two existing PET-only
scanners that have reached their end-of-life. High spatial resolution, high sensitivity and
outstanding time-of-flight capability, as well as in-line integration with x-ray CT mean the new
scanner will greatly improve upon currently available technology. This enhanced technical
performance will translate to higher image quality and quantitative parameters with greater
accuracy and improved statistical reliability. The current proposal aims to take advantage of the
existing infrastructure and environment at Johns Hopkins. The PET Center has well-equipped
radiochemistry facilities and much experience in radiopharmaceutical development, PET imaging
methodology and quantitative data analysis. There is also a large pool of NIH funded investigators
who have struggled for some time with old, unreliable PET systems and limited access to PET/CT.
Greater access and improved imaging capability will enhance the quality of data collection and
accelerate accrual of large data sets. Furthermore, the new capabilities and flexibility of the
proposed scanner will broaden the range of studies that are possible, encouraging new research
applications and wider adoption of PET across the research community. This project will support
and enhance NIH-funded research in neurosciences, oncology, cardiology and other areas
including infection. The exquisite sensitivity of PET and its unique capability to target molecular
processes in-vivo will drive advances in our understanding of disease. In addition, the quantitative
capability of PET can help develop and assess new treatment options, providing objective
evidence for treatment effectiveness at an early time point. As such the current proposal has the
potential to advance translational research and contribute towards improved public health.