Molecular Imaging
Research Facility
Preclinical PET, SPECT, and CT — in one place.
Helping translate molecules into medicines through quantitative in vivo imaging.
63peer-reviewed papers
17+collaborating groups
2012founded at UBC
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Who we work with
Three ways to work with us
Whether you need a CRO partner for a preclinical study, a research collaborator, or want to build your imaging knowledge — we have a clear pathway for you.
Pharmaceutical & Biotech
Contract Research Services
End-to-end preclinical studies for drug development. You bring the molecule and the scientific question — we design and run the full workflow, from radiolabeling through to final tissue analysis.
- →Tracer radiolabeling via TRIUMF (200 m away) and UBC Pharm Sci (on campus)
- →In vivo PET, SPECT & CT imaging
- →Ex vivo biodistribution & therapeutic efficacy studies
- →Optional in-house histology & pathology assessment
- →Animal ethics protocols managed on our side
- →Quantitative outputs — time-activity curves, %ID/g, SUV, dosimetry — in regulatory-ready reports
Academic Research Groups
Research Collaboration
Partner with us as scientific collaborators. Access an experienced imaging team and close radiochemistry partners (TRIUMF, UBC Pharm Sci), custom data-analysis and visualization tools developed in-house, and infrastructure for short-lived isotope work.
- →Deep expertise in quantitative imaging & imaging physics
- →Custom data analysis & visualization tools built in-house
- →On-site rabbit line for short-lived isotope studies
- →Study design, animal protocol help, co-authorship & grants
- →A publishing research team — not just a service desk
Students & New Researchers
Workshops & Training
Introductory courses and hands-on workshops covering preclinical molecular imaging — including practical training with our custom analysis and visualization tools. Recommended before starting research in the facility.
- →Principles of PET, SPECT & CT imaging
- →Animal handling and imaging protocols
- →Hands-on training with our in-house analysis tools
- →General facility tour — free of charge
What makes us different
Inside BC's largest animal facility
Housed at UBC's Centre for Comparative Medicine, with an on-site underground rabbit line to TRIUMF — Canada's national particle physics lab — for short-lived isotope work.
Unique location in Canada
Radiochemistry, right next door
Radiolabeling and QC run through our partners at TRIUMF — 200 m away, with an underground delivery line fast enough for short-lived isotopes — and at UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences, while we coordinate isotope selection and study design on our side.
Bring your molecule
Simultaneous PET + SPECT
The VECTor/CT acquires PET and SPECT at the same time in the same animal — more data, fewer animals, less variability.
Rare multimodal capability
Team expertise + proprietary tools
Custom data analysis and visualization tools developed in-house — built around our imaging workflows by an experienced team. Quantitative biodistribution, dosimetry, and 3D timelapses, written up in reports ready for your team or regulators.
Refined across 63 publications
Ready to start a project?
Tell us about your molecule and your scientific question. We'll get back to you within 48 hours — no commitment required for an initial conversation.