Cancer Systems Imaging

The driving goal of Cancer Systems Imaging (CSI) is to spatially and temporally resolve cancer biology, biochemistry, cell function, and drug action at multiple scales ranging from cells, to live animals, and ultimately to humans using remote imaging detection methods. Because scientists have increasingly recognized the importance of context in the study of gene expression and protein function, as well as understanding regulatory mechanisms within cellular micro-environments, investigators have turned to non-invasive molecular imaging technologies to advance research on human health and disease. Faculty in CSI are integrating cellular imaging, molecular imaging, functional genomics and chemical biology strategies with mechanism-based fundamental, pre-clinical and clinical-translational studies of cancer. Engaged in basic and discovery-based science, CSI is structured to enable translation of breakthroughs into patient care. We focus on inter-disciplinary investigations, and in light of this focus, faculty at various levels are focused on systems biology and linkages to multi-scale imaging, metabolism, immunology and cancer radiotherapeutics. Molecular imaging and therapy by their very nature are interdisciplinary and CSI faculty bring to the table a deep understanding of an area of interdisciplinary skills that complement the cancer mission.

Cancer Systems Imaging consists of several different core labs including chemistry, radiochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, animal models, transgenic animal models, and molecular imaging tools. Work in individual laboratories includes individual investigator/principal investigator-initiated research, as well as core-like research functions and materials development for intra-departmental (within CSI) and interdepartmental multidisciplinarybasic, pre-clinical and clinical-translational collaborative projects at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.