Positron Emission Tomography (PET): Technology and Application

The principal objectives of this programme are to review the basic principles of PET imaging and to convey an understanding of the modern application of PET technology. Imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) have become important tools for the early detection of disease, the understanding of basic molecular aspects of living organisms and the evaluation of medical treatment. All techniques have unique applications, with advantages and limitations. PET is being used to examine the biological function of tracer doses of molecules in living systems including humans. In particular there has been a rapid expansion in the application of PET imaging in the individual clinical management of patients, the study of disease mechanisms in oncology, heart disease, neuropsychiatric disorders and in the discovery and development of new therapautics and drugs. Recent advances in the labeling of many target specific agents and drug candidates have facilitated their use in PET imaging. The quantification in vivo using PET generated data is now producing crucial information on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and drug interactions at targeted enzyme and receptor sites, thereby aiding critical decisions, which can lead to shortened times for clinical development and drug approval. Some of the major fundamental work on the development of these techniques has been performed at King's College London and its current research strengths are recognised internationally. This is exemplified by the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences comprised of a multidisciplinary team of chemists, biologists, radiologists, clinicians, image scientists, physicists, pharmacologists and computer scientists having very active international collaborations with academia and industry.