Rutgers University has added an Albira PET/CT system from Carestream Molecular Imaging to its new Molecular Imaging Center in Piscataway, N.J. 

Located in a specially renovated facility near Rutgers' Livingston campus, the Molecular Imaging Center now houses the Albira PET/CT, a Carestream In-Vivo MS FX PRO optical imaging system, an MRI system, 3-D displays and other technologies, plus a federally registered holding facility for small animals. The center will support research in basic sciences, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and many other fields.

The Albira purchased by Rutgers is a single system with two imaging modalities: PET (positron mission tomography) and CT (computerized tomography). It is also upgradable to add a third modality: SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography). The Albira system features a unique modular architecture that introduces an exclusive, patented single-crystal detector technology and associated electronics for rapid acquisition and reconstruction of highly resolved quantitative PET and SPECT images. This approach contrasts with the pixelated crystal technology used in most current PET and SPECT systems today.

Rutgers and Carestream have also signed a two-year collaborative agreement. The deal provides Rutgers with the Albira unit plus additional hardware, computer systems, and software. The agreement calls for Rutgers to collaborate with Carestream on product awareness, scientific knowledge exchange and new product innovation. The university's lab also will become a user demonstration site.

"Scientific knowledge exchange is the most significant aspect of this agreement," said Patrick J. Sinko, Ph.D., R.Ph., Associate Vice President for Research and Parke-Davis Chair Professor of Pharmaceutics, who developed the center. "This is a major asset for life-sciences research at Rutgers and we're pleased to provide this service to our faculty. 

"We're also excited about opening our doors to scientists with New Jersey companies and other universities and colleges," Sinko said. "There are no other imaging facilities in the area that offer the breadth of imaging technologies and faculty expertise in novel imaging approaches and analysis. This strategic partnership means more than just state-of-the-art resources - it's going to lead the way into the future of research imaging."

For more information on Carestream Molecular Imaging, visit mi.carestream.com or call 1-877-747-4357, express code 7. Outside of the United States, call 1-203-786-5657.
 

About Carestream

Carestream is a worldwide provider of dental and medical imaging systems and healthcare IT solutions; molecular imaging systems for the life science research and drug discovery/ development market segments; and X-ray film and digital X-ray products for the non-destructive testing market. Carestream Molecular Imaging, a division of Carestream, develops and markets high performance digital imaging systems for in vitro and in-vivo imaging, PET/SPECT/CT solutions, film and accessories for the life science research, specimen radiography and drug discovery/development market segments.


About Rutgers

Established in 1766, Rutgers is America's eighth oldest institution of higher learning and one of the nation's premier public research universities. Serving more than 58,000 students on campuses in Camden, Newark and New Brunswick, Rutgers is one of only two New Jersey institutions represented in the prestigious Association of American Universities. The university has about 6,700 full- and part-time faculty, and more than 7,100 staff. Rutgers research spending grew to $473 million last year, including a federal-funding increase of nearly 8% over the prior year. Rutgers rose to 25th in the nation last year in terms of grants from the National Science Foundation, surpassing some of the top U.S. research institutions.