# "Small Animal Radiation Research Platform (SARRP) for Yale University".

> **NIH NIH S10** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $600,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Investigators at our institution have used translational rodent models to examine the effects of radiation on
tumors and normal tissues since 1955. Today our radiation research is largely focused on sensitizing tumors
to radiation therapy by introducing novel small molecule, antibody, immunologic, or genetic therapies.
However, standard orthovoltage delivery devices are unable to recapitulate clinical radiation protocols. They
do not provide accuracy or homogeneity of dose delivery, targeting of discrete lesions or organs, sparing of
normal tissues, or the dose-volume calculations essential for understanding tissue exposures. The small
animal radiation research platform (SARRP)-200 PRO addresses these limitations and enables target-based
treatment planning using an integrated cone beam CT scan (CBCT) and image guided micro-irradiation. The
SARRP will be integrated in to the Yale Cancer Center Irradiator Core and its specialized use will also be
overseen by the PI and an advisory committee. The instrument will support several ongoing NIH funded
research projects in cancer biology, enhance experimental designs, and improve data analysis and
interpretation. Examples of how the SARRP will augment ongoing research are readily available. The SARRP
will improve target localization within the brain, a site investigated by many projects at Yale, as well as other
anatomic sites. It will enable delivery of radiosurgery, required by several investigators that seek to reproduce
clinical scenarios with high radiation dose per fraction regimens. It will also provide the ability to study the
interactions of radiation with normal tissue and the immune system, and to evaluate therapeutic responses at
local, regional, and distant sites following irradiation. The use of SARRP guided radiation delivery is also
anticipated to recruit new users, provide educational experience with this technology for trainees, and
significantly expand research in tumor biology and the radiation sciences.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10416546
- **Project number:** 1S10OD030493-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Joseph N Contessa
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $600,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-07-15 → 2024-07-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10416546

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10416546, "Small Animal Radiation Research Platform (SARRP) for Yale University". (1S10OD030493-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10416546. Licensed CC0.

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