MILabs to provide Adaptive X-ray CT system to UAB for advancing pulmonary research

MILabs will provide an advanced U-CT^UHR microCT system to the Cystic Fibrosis Research Center (CFRC) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). This state-of the art Adaptive X-ray CT system is predicted to play an important role in advancing research programs centered on novel animal models of cystic fibrosis and COPD developed at UAB by providing superior resolution and unmatched tissue accessibility.

High-resolution detailed ferret CT-lung imaging with virtual endoscopy, see http://www.milabs.com/imaging-solutions/u-ct/ for movie.

The MILabs U-CT^UHR system acquired by UAB is designed to meet a broad range of in vivo imaging research applications in variety of animals, ranging from very fast, high-resolution, low-dose bone, tissue and lung imaging, to high-quality dual-gated cardiac and pulmonary analysis. UAB will use the new MILabs U-CT^UHR system mainly for evaluation of cystic fibrosis airways disease as well as COPD and pulmonary fibrosis and sinonasal studies.

Dr. Frederik J. Beekman, founder and CEO of MILabs B.V. confirms that the new X-ray CT system has been designed with both diagnostic CT excellence and application scalability in mind.  The ability to handle a wide variety of animal sizes and the potential of in-field upgrades to molecular CT were important design criteria.  “We are glad that such scalability has been a significant factor in UAB’s selection of the U-CT^UHR system”.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham embodies a spirit of discovery that advances knowledge, solves real-world problems, and drives economic development. This is true within the School of Medicine which is made up of nearly 800 students and more than 900 residents and 1,400 full-time faculty in 26 academic departments and specialized programs.  CFRC housed within Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine is continually engaged in novel, groundbreaking, and highly innovative research. The research faculty ranks among the nation’s best funded and is noted for exceptional mentoring and training — from undergraduate researchers to post-doctoral fellows. Research and education programs are supported by over $10 million in sponsored research funds each year. The division’s outstanding faculty members have been consistently ranked among the top programs for respiratory disease in the nation by US News and World Report and Best Doctors in America. Clinical research programs participate in a number of national and international research network including the NIH-funded COPD and Pulmonary Fibrosis Networks, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Therapeutics Development Network.