The Animal Imaging Shared Resource (AISR) performs microPET/CT and microSPECT/CT protocol development, image acquisition and image analysis for small animal models and imaging phantoms.
Nuclear medicine images are produced by giving the animal short-lived radioactive isotopes and detecting their decay using a gamma camera (SPECT) or positron emission (PET) scanner, revealing the spatial and temporal distribution of target-specific radiotracers and pharmaceuticals. An extensive array of radiopharmaceuticals, or molecular probes exist (based on 11C, 13N, 15O, 18F, 124I, 64Cu, 68Ga, 89Zr for PET and 123I, 99mTc, 201Ti, 111In for SPECT) to image diverse aspects of tumor physiology and biology. Data can reveal properties such as glucose metabolism, blood volume and flow, tissue uptake, receptor binding, and oxygen utilization. Since both modalities have a relatively low spatial resolution, CT is usually added for an anatomical overlay of the biodistribution of the radiolabeled probe.
The Siemens Inveon microPET and microCT scanners were installed in 2008.
The Mediso SPECT/CT was installed in 2016 (please contact Yubin Miao, PhD, Yubin.Miao@CUAnschutz.edu for more information on SPECT radiotracers).
Small Animal Imaging PET/SPECT/CT
PET/CT Scientific Highlights:
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has an onsite Radiochemistry lab that currently has the capability to produce 18F, 11C, and 13N. More information about our onsite radiochemistry lab can be found on the Radiochemistry webpage.
FDG-PET/CT on leukemic mice, PI: Craig Jordan, PhD (available at Cancer Cell 2018, PMID: 30270124)
Natalie Serkova, PhD
Core Director
Office: (303) 724-1086
Natalie.Serkova@CUAnschutz.edu
Jenna Steiner, AAS, CVT
Core Manager
Office: (303) 724-2942
Jenna.Steiner@CUAnschutz.edu
Soudabeh Kargar, PhD
Image Analyst
soudabeh.kargar@CUAnschutz.edu
Francis G. Garay
Senior Research Professional
Office: (303) 724-2499
Francis.GarayTriminio@CUAnschutz.edu
Location: RC1N Vivarium, Suite 1, Rm 0434