The Molecular Imaging Core (MIC) is the shared resource core of the ARTI Center. It builds upon the existing Molecular Imaging Laboratory (MIL) at MD Anderson Cancer Center, supported by the Cancer Center Grant (P30CA016672). For over two decades, the MIL has specialized in preclinical imaging, such as PET and bioluminescence, and has established global collaborations, distributing key plasmids, cell lines, and reporter animals.
Led by Dr. David Piwnica-Worms, the MIC supports the ARTI Center's focus on determining the role of ferroptosis in acquired resistance to radiation therapy (RT). It provides the necessary preclinical imaging infrastructure, including personnel, reagents, animals, and custom hardware, to support three research projects.
The MIC collaborates with ARTI investigators to develop imaging protocols, ensures robust test-retest analyses, and offers statistical support (Aim 1). It also provides timely access to unique imaging resources and leverage expertise from MIL and MD Anderson cores to modify reagents as needed (Aim 2). Additionally, the MIC offers customized imaging systems, premium analytics, and training to ARTI Center investigators (Aim 3).
For Project 1, the MIC conducts noninvasive bioluminescence imaging in preclinical models of lung and esophageal cancer to evaluate the effects of ferroptosis inducers (FINs) combined with RT and immunotherapy. In Project 2, the MIC monitors hypoxic tumor growth and assess the radiosensitizing effects of FINs, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) inhibitors, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. For Project 3, the MIC studies the role of myeloid cell expansion in ferroptosis resistance using preclinical tumor models and a novel PET tracer.
The MIC serves as a resource not only for ARTI Center investigators but also for other ARTNet members and National Cancer Institute-funded programs.
