Molecular imaging is a uniquely powerful technique for observing and quantifying molecular, cellular and physiological in vivo processes. Utilizing specific radiotracers to noninvasively monitor and measure compound pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, metabolic and enzymatic activity, receptor distribution and occupancy, DNA synthesis, gene expression, hypoxia, apoptosis and other biomolecular processes, molecular imaging can provide distinctive information regarding disease process and the validity of new therapeutic targets.

Within the scope of its molecular imaging services, MPI Research offers Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and microCT (CT) imaging. Known for their ability to generate distinctive, longitudinal data sets, SPECT, PET, and CT produced tomographic images amenable to extensive processing and data analysis, for both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional regions of interest. With protocols applicable from mouse to man, molecular imaging can add critical cross-species and translational data to your discovery and development programs.

Study Design
MPI Research staff can design protocols with functional and/or anatomical imaging endpoints. For example, in oncology research, anatomical and functional imaging provide opportunities for sophisticated datasets assessing tumor volume, growth rates, therapeutics mechanism of action, disease progression and response to therapy. In CNS research, functional imaging allows the direct assessment of CNS penetration, brain kinetics and dynamics, neurotransmitter function and receptor dynamics. Unique, whole body, continuous distribution data can be efficiently generated with functional imaging. Compound quantitation in selectable regions of interest can provide data for tissue pharmacokinetics, antibody and peptide targeting assessments and cell trafficking.

Services/Capabilities

Anatomic Imaging Services

• Siemens microCAT II CT scanner
• Applications
  • Bone
    • Fetal skeletal analysis
    • Bone healing
    • Arthritis
    • Osteoporosis
  • Oncology
    • Tumor volumes
    • Orthopedic models
  • Vascular
  • Respiratory

Functional Imaging Services

• Equipment (Siemens Focus^TM 120 PET tomograph)
• Radiotracers
  • ¹⁸FDG for inflammation, tumor growth, myocardial viability
  • ¹⁸FLT, ¹⁸FMAU for DNA synthesis, tumor growth
  • Na¹⁸F for osteogenic activity
  • ⁶⁴Cu, ⁶⁸Ga, ¹²⁴I, peptide, antibody, cell labeling
  • Distribution
• Applications
  • Tumor model studies
    • Xenograft tumor volumes
    • Orthotopic models
    • Metastasis models
    • Mechanistic studies
  • Bone growth/healing
  • Distribution (peptides, antibodies, cells)
  • Receptor localization
  • Gene expression
  • Transgenic models
    • Virus
    • Bacteria
    • Yeast
    • siRNA
    • DNA labeling
  • Ocular disease models
  • Imaging studies in squirrel monkeys

More information about Molecular Imaging can be obtained by contacting:

Zheng "Jim" Wang, PhD
Director, Molecular Imaging, Senior Study Director
Phone: (269) 668-3336, Ext. 2286
E-mail: Zheng.Wang@mpiresearch.com

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