National Imaging Facility Nodes

Queensland

Operational participants:

Scope and function:

An NCRIS-funded combined PET/MRI system will be installed at the University of Queensland node in 2009. This is a cutting edge technology in development, and there is no off-the-shelf system. Negotiations have already commenced with the two vendors working in this area, for collaborative development of a system. Radioisotopes will be sourced, at cost of production, from the Queensland PET Centre Cyclotron, and collaboration is being established in the development of radioligands using the radiochemistry facilities at that site.

The NIF node at University of Sydney will also provide the longer lived isotopes, and national users will be able to develop novel ligands at the University of Sydney node and transport them to Brisbane for use in the combined PET/MRI.
The University of Queensland node will also provide access to 20% of time on each of four state-of-the-art systems. All users will have access to the 16.4T micro-imaging system, the 4T whole-body and to the 2T whole-body. The national requirements for small animal MRI at 4.7T will be divided between the University of Queensland and the Florey Neuroscience Institutes. This will be based on both geography and on the specialised methodology that exist at either site. The two sites will coordinate closely to ensure that the most effective solution is available for any meritorious research.
An NCRIS-supported Faciltiy Officer at the node will enable this resource to be effectively used by non-imgaing researchers.

Operational participants:

Scope and function:

The University of Sydney node will provide a facility for novel biomarker and radio-ligand development. The NCRIS-funded research cyclotron will be housed in a research centre with existing purpose designed radiochemistry and imaging infrastructure. A Platform Technology Development Officer funded by NCRIS will be engaged to ensure the infrastructure is accessible to the research community. The cyclotron will have sufficient capacity to meet 100% of the radioisotope requirements of users for the next 5 years. The cost to the user for these radioisotopes will be the cost of the raw materials and a contribution towards target replacement. The maintenance and operation of the cyclotron will be organised by The University of Sydney. Without compromising access for research users, the University of Sydney may use excess capacity on the cyclotron to raise revenue from non-research activities. Such revenue will be used to ensure the cyclotron can be sustained.

The Brain and Mind Research Institute (BMRI) at the University of Sydney has purpose-designed PC2 laboratories to undertake discovery and characterisation of radio-labelled biomarkers in animal models using tracer-based molecular imaging. The BMRI has the full complement of expertise and state-of-the-art equipment (including radiochemistry facilities excepting the cyclotron) for this highly specialised, multi-disciplinary activity. BMRI will contribute 10% of this capacity to the national capability. In addition, there will be access to a NIF Radiochemistry Hot Cell for 70% of available time at maintenance cost. BMRI has also committed 10% access to the 8.5T NMR system for spectroscopy of isolated organs and cellular preparations.

Operational participants:

Scope and function:

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute will provide access to an extensive range of large and small animal imaging, including a 3 T large-bore MRI, which will be 50% committed to the NIF, optical imaging (40%), digital X-ray (40%), ultrasound (30%) and microCT(40%). The UNSW node forms a key element in the overall imaging capability in NSW, and will work closely with The University of Sydney to provide comprehensive imaging access.

NCRIS funded Facility Officers (1.5 FTE) will be engaged to provide assistance to researchers wishing to access the infrastructure.

Operational participants:

Scope and function:

The University of Western Sydney (UWS) will contribute time on two small animal and plant micro-imaging systems (10% on an 11.7T system at Campbelltown and 35% on a 7T system at Hawkesbury) to the NIF. These instruments are adjacent to PC2 facilities, with access to a large animal house and a Functional Genomics Laboratory, which will be available to NIF users of the imaging facilities. Currently NSW has minimal capacity for small animal and plant imaging. The 11.7T at Campbelltown and the 7T at Hawkesbury are the only facilities.

A part-NCRIS funded Facility Officer (0.5 FTE) will be engaged to provide assistance to researchers wishing to access the infrastructure.

Operational participants:

Scope and function:

The Large Animal Research and Imaging Facility (LARIF) will be established at the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS) /Hanson Institute at the Gilles Plains field station. It will provide a facility for applying the latest developments in magnetic resonance (MR) and other imaging modalities for research into animal and animal models of human disease research.

The LARIF will incorporate a 1.5 T MR scanner and Platform Technology Development Officer funded by NCRIS.

The scanner will constitute the first stage in the development of a suite of equipment including angiography suite, CT Suite, echo cardiography, ultrasound and MR compatible physiological monitoring.

The IMVS/Hanson Institute will contribute 100% of time on their Hologic Dual X-ray Absorptiometer and Angiography suite/ Image intensifier to the NIF. The IMVS will endeavour to fund the installation of a CT scanner within 2 years. Access to animal surgical suites and support operations, animal accommodation and office accommodation for external researchers as required will also be provided. In addition, off-site researchers will have access to a large range of animal models of human disease.

LARIF will endeavour to harness future technological MRI developments from the University of Queensland node and, PET technologies from the University of Sydney node, through the development of applications to animal imaging conducted by other nodes within the imaging network, and make them available to the wider Australian research community.

Operational participants:

Scope and function:

The Florey Neuroscience Institutes will provide access to existing infrastructure: a 4.7 T small animal MRI at the HFI. This facility will provide the research community access to state-of-the-art imaging for small animals.

Researchers using the node will also have access to an animal facility with PC2 and surgical capabilities; trained staff to assist visiting experimentalists or to perform the work on a cost-recovery basis.