On Tuesday January 30, Rector Magnificus Willem Hendrik Gispen will open the U-SPECT Molecular Imaging Facility at UMC Utrecht. This scanner promises to provide a significant boost to brain research.
U-SPECT makes it possible to closely monitor radioactively labeled molecules in a living organism. In this way it is possible to observe – in real time – bone formation, blood circulation in the heart, and neurotransmission in the brain.
This “Ultra-high-resolution Single Positron Emission Computed Tomography” was developed at the Image Sciences Institute and the Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, which are both part of UMC Utrecht. In 2006, Dr. Freek Beekman was awarded the Rudolf Magnus research prize for developing the U-SPECT.
U-SPECT makes it possible to see biological processes in living animals. This technique limits the use of experimental animals and can be used to study the effect of medicines in these animals on a long-term basis.
The opening of the U-SPECT facility will be held on Tuesday January 30 in the “Tuinzaal” in the A.A Hijmans van den Bergh Building, Universiteitsweg 98, 3584 CG Utrecht.
Program:
4:30 p.m. Welcome
Prof. Willem Hendrik Gispen, Rector Magnificus, Utrecht University
Dr. Freek Beekman, Associate Professor, Image Sciences Institute and Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht: “High resolution molecular imaging with U-SPECT and U-SPECT/CT”
Official opening of the facility
Prof. Hans Stoof, dean and vice chair of the UMC Utrecht Board of Directors
5:20 p.m. Reception and tour of the U-SPECT facility
For more information please contact: University Medical Center Utrecht, department of internal and external communication, Annette Aarts and Linda Minnen, tel. 088 75 574 83.