# Translational Cancer Imaging

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2020 · $161,984

## Abstract

ABSTRACT -Translational Cancer Imaging (TCI) Shared Resource 
The goal of the Translational Cancer Imaging (TCI) resource is to provide cancer center members with a 
comprehensive imaging service that will facilitate basic, clinical, as well as translational cancer research at 
UNC. The TCI has expanded from the original Small Animal Imaging Core to include four key units: 1) 
Cyclotron & Imaging Probe; 2) Preclinical Imaging; 3) Clinical Research Imaging; and 4) Image Analysis. The 
expansion of the imaging core will not only enhance our overall imaging capability, but also greatly expedite 
cancer research developed from basic science to clinical application with advanced tools and channels built 
within the TCI. The new Cyclotron and Imaging Probe unit contains all the equipment needed to support 
radiopharmaceutical development, clinical translation, and probe production for molecular imaging studies. 
Key components include state of the art radiochemistry research facility with a high energy (16.5 MeV) GE 
PETtrace cyclotron, multiple automated radiochemical processing modules, clean room, hot cells and other 
ancillary equipment. The Animal Imaging unit has a new mouse 3,000 cage holding unit and houses eleven 
pieces of imaging equipment dedicated for animal studies, including a 9.4T animal MR scanner, one animal 
PET/CT scanner, one SPECT/CT scanner, one high resolution microCT for specimens, one microCT systems 
for in vivo studies, two high resolution ultrasound system, three IVIS optical imaging systems, and one 3D 
tomographic fluorescence imaging system. With all the equipment located in one centralized space, the 
preclinical imaging unit is capable of providing non-invasive imaging, longitudinal studies, as well as 
multimodality imaging on animal models in various cancer applications. The Human Imaging unit is equipped 
with one 3T whole body MRI scanner, one integrated MRI/PET scanner, one PET/CT scanner, and one whole 
body 7T MRI scanner, all dedicated for clinical research. Again, they are all located in one centralized space 
right above the animal Imaging unit. These dedicated instruments strongly support the translational cancer 
research in a seamless fashion. The Image Analysis unit will continue to provide advanced analysis tools, 
customized software, and data storage and transfer tools to support imaging studies. For the next funding 
cycle, the TCI proposes two major aims, namely 1) to enhance infrastructure for imaging probe services and 
translational development; 2) strengthen animal and human imaging support in cancer research. We will 
enhance the infrastructure to provide imaging probe development and production services for both preclinical 
and clinical usage. Meanwhile, we will continue expanding our imaging capability, improving infrastructures for 
translational imaging study, and promoting human imaging research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9834861
- **Project number:** 5P30CA016086-44
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Zibo Li
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $161,984
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9834861

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9834861, Translational Cancer Imaging (5P30CA016086-44). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9834861. Licensed CC0.

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