About the Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford
General
The MIPS is situated in the heart of the Biomedical Sciences section of the Stanford campus with easy access and parking (see Directions) for visitors. Nearly 300 people currently work in the Program. There are twenty-one full members, thirty-one associate members and a large number of visiting faculty & scholars, research scientists, post doctoral fellows, research associates, graduate & undergraduate students.The Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS) was established as an inter-disciplinary program in 2003 by the Dean of the School of Medicine (Dr. Philip Pizzo) and brings together scientists and physicians who share a common interest in developing and using state-of-the-art imaging technology and developing molecular imaging assays for studying intact biological systems. The program is directed by Dr. Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, Virginia & D.K. Ludwig Professor of Cancer Research and Chair of the Department of Radiology and co-directed by Dr. Christopher Contag, Associate Chief (Research), Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine and Professor, Department of Pediatrics and of Microbiology and Immunology and, by courtesy, of Radiology.
Research
The MIPS Program has five key research areas focusing on:
- synthesis and validation of radiolabeled and fluorescent molecular probes for molecular imaging
- development of molecular imaging instrumentation for living subjects
- development of molecular imaging approaches/assays for interrogating cellular events in living subjects
- development of software tools for visualization and analysis of molecular imaging data
- merger of therapeutics and imaging strategies for improved patient management
Funding for the Program's research activities come from a mix of Federal (National Institutes of Health and Department of Energy), Foundation and University sources, as well as through a number of collaborations with Industry.
Education
The Program attracts graduate students from a wide range of programs including Molecular Pharmacology, Cell/Molecular Biology, Electrical Engineering, and Bio-Engineering.
Small Animal Imaging Facilities
The Program runs several state-of-the-art imaging facilities within the Clark small animal imaging core including digital whole body autoradiography (DWBA), microPET, microSPECT/CT, optical bioluminescence/fluorescence and ultrasound.
