1. Multi-disciplinary Centers for Molecular/functional Imaging Research - Develop and maintain centers dedicated to molecular/functional imaging research in accordance with the NCI. Staff such centers with personnel from a variety of fields who have a common goal to develop technology to image aspects of human cancer, non-invasively. Assure that the personnel in these centers are in sufficiently close physical proximity, engendering development of strong collaborative ties. Support nascent molecular/functional imaging centers with services and facilities already available in industry or at the NIH.

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2. The NIH/NCI should support dedicated small animal imaging facilities focusing on the study of genetically engineered tumor models. Multi-modality mouse imaging laboratories should be developed.

i. Support several multi-disciplinary mouse imaging "Centers of Excellence."

ii. Develop novel, affordable small animal in vivo imaging devices providing anatomic and functional images, starting with MR, PET/SPECT, ultrasound and possibly x-ray CT, complemented with more novel techniques such as optical and EPR imagers.

iii. Support appropriate personnel, such as veterinarian pathologists, small animal anesthesiologists, veterinary and imaging technologists.

iv. Develop image processing and analysis techniques for high-throughput, automated screening of whole animal/organ scans.

a. Integrate the in vivo imaging techniques with in vitro and ex vivo imaging techniques, including gene expression maps.
b. Develop animal specific radiopharmaceuticals and contrast agents.

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3. Training and dissemination - In collaboration with the NCI, develop and implement an efficient mechanism for postdoctoral training in molecular imaging sciences. Develop initiatives for interdisciplinary cross-training of senior investigators, while providing means for bringing researchers and teams with diverse backgrounds together. Establish a scientific forum that fosters dissemination of research at large, so that novel probes and techniques are efficiently used for the development of novel anti-cancer strategies.

i. Develop and implement postdoctoral training programs in molecular imaging.

ii. Develop efficient initiatives for cross-training of senior investigators.

iii. Establish interdisciplinary molecular imaging conferences to bring researchers with diverse backgrounds together. Establish mechanisms to efficiently disseminate research results, for example, web-based discussion groups or special issues in scientific journals.

iv. Establish an interdisciplinary NCI grant review committee that is uniquely suited to objectively evaluate training and faculty grants.

4. Imaging Agent Discovery - Chemical Design and Synthesis of Imaging Agents

i. Support basic research dedicated to the design, synthesis, and testing of new contrast enhancement media for in vivo imaging of cellular processes and tumor identification.

ii. Create a mechanism to fund the chemical synthesis of contrast agents for use by researchers in the clinical and basic research settings. This goal may be accomplished by a consortium of research laboratories or established NCI facilities. The specific goals of the chemistry core would be:

• Synthesis - organic and inorganic coordination chemistry of new goal directed agents

• Characterization - purification and physical measurements of the new agents, including biodistribution and toxicity data

• Dissemination - make the agents and images obtained available to the scientific community in convenient formats, such as a catalogued library of complexes.

iii. Facilitate access by the research community to the chemical storehouses, databases, and the high-throughput capabilities of industry, which would accelerate imaging agent discovery.

iv. Establish a yearly meeting to address the need for communication to be established and encouraged between clinicians, biologists, and chemists.

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