Small animal imaging center design: the facility at the UCLA Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging.
OBJECTIVE
The growing number of mouse and rat experiments, coupled with advances in small-animal imaging systems such as microPET, optical, microCAT, microMR, ultrasound and microSPECT, has necessitated a common technical center for imaging small animals.


METHODS
At the UCLA Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, we have designed and built a facility to support the research interests of a wide range of investigators from multiple disciplines. Requirements to satisfy both research and regulatory oversight have been critically examined. Support is provided for investigator training, study scheduling, data acquisition, archiving, image display, and analysis.


RESULTS
The center has been in operation for more than 18 months, supporting more than 13,000 individual imaging procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
We have created a facility that maximizes our resource utilization while providing optimal investigator support, as well as the means to continually improve the quality and diversity of the science by integrating physical and biological sciences.
Stout
David B
DB
Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA. dstout@mednet.ucla.edu
Chatziioannou
Arion F
AF
Lawson
Timothy P
TP
Silverman
Robert W
RW
Gambhir
Sanjiv S
SS
Phelps
Michael E
ME
D000047:Academies and Institutes / Q000639:trends*; D000818:Animals; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001345:Autoradiography; D002140:California; D003201:Computers; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D006799:Housing, Animal; D020407:Internet; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D051381:Rats; D014495:Universities