PET insert Si 198 - The seismic wave of precision medicine is reaching research laboratories. Imaging is an essential component of that paradigm shift. Clinically applicable modalities are becoming an avant-garde of translational efforts relying on seamless transition between preclinical and clinical scenario. For decades imaging scientists and clinicians had to choose between outstanding anatomical information offered by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high sensitivity of positron emission tomography (PET) as moving animals or patients between scanners is too cumbersome with time delay and image registration compounding the difficulties. The advent of an era of integrated PET/MR scanners solved this long-lasting obstacle. University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) made impressive investment in research infrastructure, along with the construction of a brand new Health Science Building (HSF) III in 2019. The basement of the building is equipped with state-of-the-art imaging devices. Among others it features clinical Biograph PET/MR system (Siemens), and small animal wide-bore 9.4 T Bruker MR scanner. Moreover, University of Maryland recently recruited a group of investigators from the Johns Hopkins University (including the PI of this proposal), who have an outstanding expertise in both MRI and PET, including many publications and patents in both imaging modalities. They have established a Program in Image Guided Neurointerventions (PIGN), with unique resources dedicated to imaging science radiation-ready space in HSF III and approved protocols for radiolabeling of a various molecules and compounds. This resource is now open to offer the radiolabeling expertise to the entire UMB community. Notably, there is growing demand for simultaneous MRI and PET imaging during the same imaging session. Excellent example is core application of PIGN where MRI is used to predict and assess brain territory targeted by IA injection while PET component reports in real-time on drug accumulation and dose at the target. Until now scientists at UMB had only access to clinical PET/MR scanner, although to fully unlock the potential of that system it is essential to also be able to perform experiments in small animals. Importantly, dedicated small animal 9.4 T Bruker MR scanner is available, which can be easily upgraded by PET insert to serve as a fully functional PET/MR scanner. It is also worth mentioning that currently available small animal PET/CT scanner (Siemens Inveon) will be decommissioned next year as the manufacturer discontinued its production and its support will expire, therefore UMB campus will be devoid of any access to PET imaging. At the same time the radiolabeling expertise and support from PIGN, energized a number of UMB scientists across many disciplines including radiology, neurosurgery, immunology, pharmacology, oncology and human virology who enthusiastically support this proposal. Therefore, the proposed PET insert will be an excellent and much needed addition to an outstanding research infrastructure recently acquired by the UMB to serve local research community.
