Contact:

Barbara Y. Croft, Ph.D.
Cancer Imaging Program
Telephone: (301) 496-9531
E-mail: bc129b@nih.gov

Objective:

The objectives of the project are to provide collaboration in small animal imaging to oncology investigators and to provide for research, development, and training in small animal imaging technologies. Improved small animal imaging facilities will enhance the use of mouse models and the integration of imaging methods into the study of the molecular bases for cancer.

Description:

The In Vivo Molecular Imaging Subgroup of the NCI Imaging Sciences Working Group identified a need for small animal imaging facilities to allow rapid and efficient evaluation of new imaging agents. Investigators are often limited to the imaging technologies available at their home institutions, which may not be optimized for animal imaging. Through this initiative, the NCI will support a number of Small Animal Imaging Resource Programs allowing oncology investigators access to more than one small animal imaging technology. The Principal Investigator and the community of users for a particular center will decide on the focus of the Resource Program and the direction of research to improve the technology for the use with small animals.