The USC Molecular Imaging Center (MIC) is dedicated to research studies of small animals for a variety of applications. The MIC is staffed with trained machine operators and animal technologists. MIC faculty are active in developing novel methods of imaging to obtain new types of information as well as in applying current methods to study a wide range of biomedical questions. The preclinical versions of the PET, CT, US scanners in our facility provides information from studies in preclinical rodent or primate models which can be directly translated to clinical settings. In addition to the structural and functional data provided by each instrument listed above, supplemental data can also be acquired using autoradiography and biodistribution studies. In addition, optical imaging studies provide gene reporter analysis using transgenic models or tumor cell lines with luciferase or fluorescence measurements of labeled molecule distribution using quantum dot nanotechnology.
