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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 |