Project Summary/Abstract The goal of this application is to provide the investigators at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) with a preclinical small animal photon-counting detector microCT system that will afford them with the necessary means and resources to further their multidisciplinary research. The MARS Photon-Counting Detector microCT utilizes revolutionary detectors, that offer exceptional low contrast and high spatial resolution images, and quantitative capabilities for tissue and in vivo, real-time imaging of small animals such as mice and rats. MDACC is the home of a large group of NIH-funded investigators conducting fundamental studies and translational research, all with the ultimate goal of eliminating cancer. Together, these investigators cover large and complementary research territories focusing their efforts on basic science and the translation of laboratory discoveries to clinical practice. Currently, MDACC, the Texas Medical Center, and the State of Texas are not equipped with a system capable of photon-counting detection CT imaging to conduct physiological, molecular, and quantitative imaging of small animals widely used in these studies. The specific aim of this application is to acquire the MARS Photon-Counting Detector microCT system to enable investigators to conduct basic science and applied research projects related to cancer detection and treatment. Overall, the principal investigator and key personnel in this application are committed to ensuring that the new photon-counting detector microCT imaging technology presented herein becomes a fruitful addition to the research tools offered at MDACC. In this application, we offer numerous NIH-funded major users who are conducting research studies that would enjoy immediate and significant benefit from the procurement of a MARS Photon-Counting Detector microCT imaging system. Additionally, the imager will be incorporated into the suite of resources offered by our Small Animal Imaging Facility (SAIF), an institutional research facility partially supported by our Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) from the National Cancer Institute (P30-CA016672, PI: Pisters). New investigators – both from within MDACC and from the greater Texas Medical Center research community – will also benefit in the future from this powerful small animal imaging option.