Bioimaging is an evolving field where new techniques and methods are continuously developed. LBIC plays a crucial role in staying at the forefront of these advancements by providing state-of-the-art equipment and support to its broad user base. The centre’s existing preclinical PET and SPECT systems, first installed in 2010-2011, have exceeded their expected lifespan, making this upgrade essential to ensure researchers remain at the cutting edge of preclinical imaging.
Upgraded Technology for Cutting-Edge Research
The new PET/CT and SPECT/CT systems offer significant improvements in resolution, speed, and functionality. The updated SPECT/CT scanner allows simultaneous scanning of up to three animals, increasing throughput for longitudinal studies and enhancing precision in imaging. Likewise, the new PET/CT comes equipped with positron range correction, enabling clearer imaging and the ability to scan up to four animals concurrently. These upgrades also feature enhanced software and hardware, faster measurements, and improved animal monitoring systems that prioritize animal welfare.
-The equipment for gated imaging has been greatly improved, opening up novel initiatives and more advanced projects for current and future users,” says Ritha Gidlöf, Ph.D. Platform coordinator and Radiochemist. This upgrade solidifies Lund University's position as a leader in preclinical bioimaging research.
Ensuring the Continuation of Excellence
The process of securing funding for this vital upgrade began in 2020, when it became clear that the aging equipment was experiencing increasing errors and malfunctions. By 2023, LBIC had successfully raised 7.45 million SEK—nearly 75% of the total cost—from various sources. The procurement was initiated in late 2023, with the machines successfully delivered and installed by early 2024.
Currently, these systems are operational, supporting multiple ongoing research projects that span a wide range of fields within Life Sciences, including orthopedics, neurology, and oncology.
The Science Behind PET and SPECT
Nuclear medicine techniques like PET and SPECT are non-invasive imaging methods used to observe biochemical, morphological, and physiological processes in the body. Both PET and SPECT rely on the use of radioactive tracers, substances that are injected into living organisms. These tracers accumulate in specific tissues, allowing scientists to visualize biological functions. For example, radioactive glucose is often used to detect high-energy-consuming organs like the brain or heart, as well as cancer tumours due to their elevated metabolism.
PET and SPECT systems allow researchers to study functional changes within organs, offering critical insights into conditions like cancer, kidney function, cerebral blood flow, and therapeutic responses. These methods are also valuable for tracking the distribution of pharmaceuticals in living systems, helping researchers determine where a drug accumulates, how quickly, and through what pathways it is eliminated from the body.
Impact of the Upgrade
The new systems provide researchers with several advantages:
- Higher resolution: Improved detector systems offer clearer imaging results.
- Versatility: The new SPECT/CT allows for measurements of photons with higher energy, crucial for theranostic research, while the PET/CT employs positron range correction for enhanced imaging accuracy.
- Higher throughput: Multi-bed systems enable scanning of multiple animals simultaneously, saving time and resources, particularly for studies with short-lived radioactive tracers.
- Enhanced temporal resolution: Shorter scan times allow for dynamic imaging, critical for biodistribution studies.
- Upgraded software: New software enables faster and more precise quantification and segmentation of activity, ensuring long-term support for years to come.
A Future of Ground-breaking Research
The platform supports about 20 projects and contributing to numerous scientific publications annually, encompassing a variety of disease models and spanning many interdisciplinary fields. By providing access to cutting-edge nuclear medicine techniques, LBIC is able to offer its users the same high-quality radiopharmaceuticals used in clinical settings at Skåne University Hospital in Lund.
-This upgrade ensures that Lund University remains at the forefront of bioimaging research,” said Sven-Erik Strand, Professor Emeritus and Head of Systemic Radiotherapy at Lund University Cancer Centre (LUCC). These technologies have been essential for my research group, and the international collaborations we engage in would be severely hindered without access to this infrastructure.
With these new tools, Lund University Bioimaging Centre is well-positioned to continue its tradition of excellence in preclinical nuclear medicine, further enhancing its global research impact.
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