A miniature PET scanner, the "microPET," for imaging mice enables scientists to develop new ways to provide real time images of the molecules that transform normal cells to diseased cells in a living mouse. The microPET mouse image shows an example of how BER scientists at UCLA watch the genome of cells at work in the living mouse.

Positron emission tomography (PET), a tool for imaging the chemistry and biology of the living human body by monitoring ingested tracer molecules, is now a standard method for studying the metabolism of the brain, the heart, and cancer. PET is based on pioneering advances by the Office of Science and predecessor agencies in particle accelerators, biological radiotracer molecules, photodetectors, and high-speed computers. Recently, PET technology was reengineered by scientists at the University of California-Los Angeles to make a miniaturized version for imaging small animals. Developed with Office of Science support, MicroPET is a noninvasive system that eliminates the need for biopsies and thereby extends an animal's life. It allows serial and longitudinal studies to be performed on the same living animal, enabling researchers to follow a single animal over time and monitor the effects of interventions on disease progression and outcome. MicroPET will be particularly valuable for studying genetically modified animals that exhibit high variability or are unique or valuable. Demand for this technology has been created by accelerated progress in decoding the human genome, development of transgenic mice, and rapid proliferation of small animal models of human disease.

Scientific Impact: More than 260 centers worldwide (70 in the United States) use PET scanners, including one at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory with the world's highest resolution. There are eight operational MicroPET systems, as well as numerous additional orders; these systems are expected to significantly improve the results and reduce the costs of research on animal models for human disease.

Social Impact: PET scanning provides improved diagnosis of disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cardiovascular diseases, and many cancers. Research using MicroPET will enabled the analysis of genetic manipulations, biological transformations, and progression of disease in living animals as a means of gaining insight into these processes in humans.

Reference: M. Phelps, "PET: the Merging of Biology and Imaging into Molecular Imaging," J. Nucl. Med. 41:661-681 (2000).

J.S. Huber and W.W. Moses, "Conceptual design of a high-sensitivity small animal PET camera with 4P coverage," IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci., 46:498-502 (1999).

W.W. Moses, P.R.G. Virador, S.E. Derenzo, et al., "Design of a high-resolution, high-sensitivity PET camera for human brains and small animals," IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci., 44:1487-1491 (1997).

S.R. Cherry, Shao Y., Silverman, R.W., Chatziioannou, A., Meadors, K., Siegel, S., Boutefnouchet, A., Farquhar, T., Young, J., Jones, W.F., Newport, D., Moyers, C., Andreaco, M., Paulus, M., Binkley, D., Nutt, R., Phelps, M.E., "MicroPET: a high resolution PET scanner for imaging small animals," IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science 44:1161-1166 (1997).

S.R. Cherry, Chatziioannou, A., Shao, Y., Silverman, R.W., Meadors, K., Phelps, M.E., "Brain imaging in small animals with MircoPET," in: Quantitative Functional Brain Imaging with Positron Emission Tomography, Academic Press, San Diego, CA, pp 3-9 (1998).

J. Qi, Leahy, R.M., Cherry, S.R., Chatziioannou, A., and Farquhar, T.H., "High resolution 3D Bayesian image reconstruction using the microPET small animal scanner," Physics in Medicine and Biology 43:1001-1013 (1998).

URL: http://www.lbl.gov/lifesciences
http://www.crump.ucla.edu/crump/resprojects/microPET/
http://www.cms-asic.com/what_is_microPET.htm

Technical Contact: Dr. Prem Srivastava, Medical Sciences Division, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, 301-903-4071

Press Contact: Jeff Sherwood, DOE Office of Public Affairs, 202-586-5806

SC-Funding Office: Office of Biological and Environmental Research