Service Scope:
We provide cutting-edge kinetic modeling and parametric imaging technologies to advance biomedical research that includes, but is not limited to,
- Physiological understanding of health and disease,
- e.g., blood flow, glucose metabolism, and receptor binding
- Identification of kinetic imaging biomarkers for
- Noninvasive and early disease diagnosis
- Early assessment of treatment response
- Evaluation of new tracers
- Model validation
- Optimization of imaging protocol
Our services can be organ-specific (e.g., brain, heart) or at the total-body system level with the consideration of available imaging scanners. The services are currently focused on dynamic PET but are also applicable to other imaging modalities dynamic MRI and dynamic CT.
Workflow:
The kinetic modeling services can be provided for existing dynamic PET imaging data or start from the conceptual design stage of a project. While each project is unique and customized, the whole process of a dynamic PET imaging study may consist of one or more of the following steps:
- Consultation: We offer a free consultation for discussing a potential project that involves tracer kinetic modeling. We also provide free consultations on grant writing and budgeting.
- Imaging study design: Based on the scientific hypothesis of a study, we help identify the most appropriate imaging scanner, tracer, and imaging protocol to use. This step usually involves the director(s) of the EXPLORER Molecular Imaging Center (EMIC) for human studies, or the director(s) of the Center for Molecular and Genomic Imaging (CMGI) for small-animal studies. The EMIC/CMGI also assists in preparing paperwork for meeting study regulations (e.g., IRB protocol).
- Data acquisition: Raw dynamic PET data of a study subject are acquired on a scanner and are then reconstructed into dynamic images by the technical staff in the center. The images are transferred to a computing server for implementing tracer kinetic modeling and/or parametric imaging.
- Kinetic modeling: We will first perform the extraction of image-derived input functions from the dynamic images. Depending on the need of a project, we will perform region-of-interest kinetic modeling to get regional kinetic quantification or implement parametric imaging (voxel-wise kinetic modeling) to obtain parametric images, or both.
- Interpretation of results: We will help interpret the kinetic modeling results with the investigators. Commonly radiologists will be involved in this step as well.
Recharge Rate:
The EMIC scanner rates for human studies are described here.
The hourly labor rate for the kinetic modeling services at EMIC: $212 per hour per person