Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre


The University of Manchester Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre is a purpose built facility designed to exploit the potential for Positron Emission Tomography in oncology, neuroscience and psychiatry research. Based on the site of the Christie Hospital in Manchester, the Centre aims to pioneer clinical research and development in medical imaging.

Facilities and equipment

The Centre is equipped with cyclotron and radiochemistry facilities including: a hot cell laboratory, 2 advanced high-resolution PET scanners, supporting chemical analysis laboratories and data analysis facilities. There is also a 1.5T MRI scanner in the Centre.
The Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre is a part of the Imaging Facilities of the University of Manchester. The Imaging Facilities also includes a 3T MRI scanner at the Manchester Clinical Research Facility and a second 3T MRI scanner at Salford Royal NHS Trust. In 2015 a GE SIGNA PET-MR scanner was installed at St Mary's Hospital, funded by the Medical Research Council as part of the Dementias Platform UK initiative.

History

Detailed planning for the Centre began late in 2000, following funding from the Wolfson Foundation, Cancer Research UK, the Christie Hospital Trust Charitable Fund and the University of Manchester. The Centre began its programme of clinical research work in June 2006 when it performed its first clinical PET body scan on a volunteer.
In February 2020 it was announced that the imaging radiochemistry facility at the centre would close at the end of 2020.