ABSTRACT Overview: The Animal Imaging Shared Resource (AISR) provides access to state-of-the-art animal scanners and expertise to study tumor progression, metastases, microenvironment and response to therapies using non- invasive imaging in animal models of cancer. The AISR, created in 2006, is the only comprehensive high-end Animal Imaging facility in Colorado. The AISR supports cancer research with high-end imaging services, validation of novel contrast agents, collaboration and training in animal imaging, study design, quantitative image analysis and translation of imaging technologies to human clinical trials. Equipment: Since the last renewal, the AISR worked diligently to leverage extramural and institutional funding to upgrade and maintain cutting edge imaging equipment, resulting in $4.3M in capital equipment investments since 2016. The AISR has added three state-of-the-art preclinical scanners - a Bruker 9.4 Tesla MRI, an IVIS Spectrum, and a Quantum GX2 CT to the existing Siemens Inveon PET/CT, Mediso SPECT/CT, IVIS200 and Bruker 4.7 Tesla MRI. Services and Expertise: The AISR, located within the UCAMC Animal Facilities, offers easy access to advanced imaging equipment and full-service support for imaging studies including study design, IACUC approved protocols, animal handling, image acquisition, multimodal image analysis, and preparation of grant proposals, study reports and publications. In addition to ultra-high resolution (20-50 microns) anatomical imaging, the AISR has established advanced imaging protocols for tumor physiology and microenvironment such as diffusion weighted/ tensor imaging (DWI/ DTI), dynamic contract-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), vessel-size imaging (VSI), iron oxide macrophage MRI, metabolic PET and peptide SPECT/CT protocols. Dr. Natalie Serkova, AISR Director since 2006, has developed a robust imaging research infrastructure, based on her MR physics/ animal imaging expertise. Consultation and Education: The AISR offers advanced imaging and image analysis workshops regionally twice per year to enhance researchers' in-vivo study designs. Since 2016, over 300 participants across the State have enrolled in the AISR workshops. Management: The AISR is an institutional shared resource managed by the UCCC. Operating Budget: CCSG funding represents 42% of the current operating budget. Remaining support is from user fees (54%) and institutional support (4%). NIH shared instrumentation grants, matching institutional support and CCSG subsidies are critical to AISR's mission to serve UCCC members at the uppermost level possible while minimizing costs in a relatively expensive technology-centric field. Use of Services: Since 2016, 97 investigators have used the AISR, 42% (n=41) of whom were UCCC members who accounted for 66% of the total use. Future Directions: AISR is working to acquire two new imaging systems, a hands-free ultrasound and an upgraded PET/CT. The added scanners and continuing educatio...