The Molecular Imaging Laboratory has established policies to ensure fair and efficient access to scanning resources for research purposes. These policies apply to all research teams using the laboratory’s PET/SPECT/CT imaging systems and are designed to balance demand, maintenance needs, and funding constraints.

1. Scanning research time

• Scanning research time is allocated based on the approved research protocols and available system capacity.
• Researchers are required to submit requests for scanning slots at least two weeks in advance by emailing mil@beckman.illinois.edu.
• Priority is given to time-sensitive projects and those with external funding contributions.

2. Beckman Pilot Award hours

BPA time refers to the designated scanning time on the PET/SPECT/CT systems used to collect imaging data that supports grant proposals, conference abstracts or scientific publications. It is intended for preclinical animal studies, materials scanning and biological sample imaging. Often, 2 or 3 hours are awarded as a part of this program.

• Projects funded through the institution’s Beckman Pilot Award are allotted specific scanning hours.
• Researchers using BPA hours must provide the appropriate BPA form and ensure that these hours align with approved project scopes.

3. Seed-awarded scanning hours

• Seed grants awarded by the Molecular Imaging Laboratory may include the development of new research directions and innovative investigations utilizing PET/CT/SPECT imaging systems.
• These hours are designated for pilot studies, preliminary data collection, and exploratory research.
• Researchers must report outcomes generated during seed-awarded time using this online form and acknowledge the laboratory’s support in resulting publications.

4. Educational use and teaching scanning time

As part of its mission, the MIL offers dedicated teaching sessions using its PET/SPECT/CT infrastructure to train both engineering and medical students in imaging science and translational research.

• Audience:
  • Undergraduate and graduate engineering students (e.g., biomedical, bioengineering).
  • Medical students and clinical trainees.
• Scope of teaching sessions:
  • Hands-on demonstrations of preclinical PET, SPECT and CT workflows.
  • Technical instruction on scanner operation, image acquisition and data processing.
• Scheduling:
  • Educational sessions are scheduled separately from research scans to avoid conflict with active experiments.
  • Teaching hours must be coordinated in advance with MIL staff and instructional faculty.
• Institutional collaborations:
  • MIL welcomes collaborations with course directors and departments to integrate imaging into curricula or short courses.
  • Sessions may be customized to match learning outcomes and technical levels.
• Contact:
  • For arranging teaching modules or integrating imaging into academic programs, please contact mil@beckman.illinois.edu.