Preclinical Imaging/Image-Guided Radiation Core Facility

Preclinical radiation research using cell or small animal models is crucial for understanding the biological effects of radiation and its combinations with other therapies. This research is a key step before advancing to human clinical trials, making it indispensable for translational research.

Many investigators lack adequate training in radiation physics and radiobiology, which can lead to experimental results that are difficult for other scientists to reproduce. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and leading research journals have expressed concerns about the frequent miscalculation of radiation doses and improper calibration of irradiation devices in preclinical research. Additionally, many preclinical research facilities have not kept pace with the advanced technologies now standard in clinical radiation therapy, limiting the clinical applicability of their findings. Successful preclinical radiation research relies on these critical components and, more importantly, demands close coordination between biologists and physicists.

Funded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and led by Debabrata Saha, Ph.D., Professor of Radiation Oncology, the Pre-Clinical Imaging/Image-Guided Radiation Core Facility (PCIRCF) at UT Southwestern Medical Center addresses these critical challenges in preclinical radiation research.

The PCIRCF will offer CPRIT-funded and other investigators across Texas access to cutting-edge radiation and imaging technologies, along with the necessary expertise to conduct accurate and clinically relevant cancer therapy research. By organizing, consolidating, and managing existing resources at UT Southwestern under a unified platform, the PCIRCF aims to address concerns raised by federal agencies while positioning UTSW as a model of best practices for animal irradiation studies.

The available resources at the PCIRCF will include not only irradiators and advanced imaging technologies, but also cell and animal models specifically developed for radiation experiments. Investigators will receive thorough training on PCIRCF equipment, and medical physicists will ensure that all machines are properly calibrated and radiation doses are calculated with precision. Additionally, investigators will be provided with a comprehensive dosimetry plan for their experiments, along with standardized language for publication. The primary objective of the PCIRCF is to guarantee that preclinical radiation experiments are conducted with accuracy and that their results are communicated clearly and effectively.