VA Biomolecular Imaging Center (BIC)

The VA Biomolecular Imaging Center (BIC) offers VA and affiliated MU researchers

state of the art molecular and anatomic in vivo imaging capabilities.  Located at the

Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, the imaging center houses a Philips

Medical Systems MOSAIC Small Animal PET system, a Siemens Preclinical

Solutions combined Micro-SPECT/CT system, and a Varian Unity Inova actively

shielded 7T MRI system.

The primary purpose of the imaging center is to make high-resolution anatomic

and molecular imaging capabilities readily available to MU and VA researchers

who utilize conventional and immunocompromised animal models as a component

of their respective research programs. These studies can be performed

non-invasively allowing repeated measurements within the same research subject.

Multimodality imaging is often performed because of the value of both physiologic

(PET and SPECT) and anatomic (CT and MRI) information from the same research

subject.  If requested by the researcher, reconstructed data from multiple modalities

can be ported to a Microsoft Windows based system for visualization and image fusion.

The VA BIC is available to more than just the biomedical field.  Researchers of various other areas have utilized the services of the VA BIC for

analysis of a wide variety of materials.  Micro-imaging can provide quantitative and qualitative information for items ranging from plants to

engineering components.

The following links will provide technical information and applications for each instrument:

·         Micro-SPECT/CT

·         Micro-MRI

·         Micro-PET

Please Note:  All research conducted at the VA BIC must receive prior approval from the appropriate oversight committee(s) such as the

VA Research and Development Committee, VA Subcommittee for Animal Studies/MU IACUC, VA Subcommittee for Research Safety,

or the VA Radiation Safety Committee.

Download VA BIC Forms