# Preclinical Imaging Shared Facility

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2020 · $194,191

## Abstract

IMAGING GROUP 
PRECLINICAL IMAGING SHARED FACILITY (PCISF) 
ABSTRACT 
The Preclinical Imaging Shared Facility (PCISF) fulfills a critical UAB-CCC priority by supporting over 50 
members in five programs with preclinical imaging studies for detection of cancer and therapy evaluation. The 
facility provides detailed imaging evaluation of new cancer treatments, and thereby accelerates their translation 
to human trials. The specific aims are the following: (1) to provide state-of-the-art molecular imaging for 
preclinical studies in appropriate animal models, and support IND's for transition to human imaging studies; (2) 
to provide consultation and training to CCC members for molecular imaging in cancer models; (3) to establish 
methods for image analyses; (4) to maintain the instruments and keep them accurately calibrated; and (5) to 
develop novel imaging technologies and acquire new instruments. The facility will coordinate existing support 
mechanisms for imaging at UAB, and significantly expand the imaging effort with clinically relevant imaging 
that can be translated to humans. Imaging components include structural and metabolic imaging (MRI/MRS, 
high frequency ultrasonography and microCT), gamma-ray imaging (gamma camera, microSPECT/CT, 
microPET/CT, PET/MR), and optical imaging (bioluminescence and fluorescence). The PCISF has undertaken 
a multimodality imaging approach to provide a molecular understanding of cancer in animal models by 
integrating measurements of tumor mass (bioluminescence, ultrasound, CT, and MR), tumor specific targeting 
(SPECT, ultrasound, fluorescence, microPET), vascular parameters (ultrasound, MR), and specific therapy 
responses (ultrasound, bioluminescence, SPECT, MR, micoPET). Each imaging modality has advantages and 
their coordinated application is synergistic. The facility meets a critical need in evaluation of new therapies for 
cancer in animal models, thereby enabling translation of the new therapies to human trials. The facility will 
enhance the potential of other UAB-CCC shared facilities (High Resolution Imaging, Tissue Procurement, 
Mass Spectrometry/Proteonomics, Transgenic Animal, and Human Imaging) by providing real-time imaging of 
molecular pathways in the living animal, enabling precise tissue sampling and microanalyses, and facilitating 
translation to human studies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9895648
- **Project number:** 5P30CA013148-48
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** Anna C Sorace
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $194,191
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9895648

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9895648, Preclinical Imaging Shared Facility (5P30CA013148-48). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9895648. Licensed CC0.

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