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MIDG-Emerging grid technologies for multi-site preclinical molecular imaging research communities

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International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Molecular imaging is the visualization and identification of specific molecules in anatomy for insight into metabolic pathways, tissue consistency, and tracing of solute transport mechanisms. This paper presents the Molecular Imaging Data Grid (MIDG) which utilizes emerging grid technologies in preclinical molecular imaging to facilitate data sharing and discovery between preclinical molecular imaging facilities and their collaborating investigator institutions to expedite translational sciences research. Grid-enabled archiving, management, and distribution of animal-model imaging datasets help preclinical investigators to monitor, access and share their imaging data remotely, and promote preclinical imaging facilities to share published imaging datasets as resources for new investigators.

Methods

The system architecture of the Molecular Imaging Data Grid is described in a four layer diagram. A data model for preclinical molecular imaging datasets is also presented based on imaging modalities currently used in a molecular imaging center. The MIDG system components and connectivity are presented. And finally, the workflow steps for grid-based archiving, management, and retrieval of preclincial molecular imaging data are described.

Results

Initial performance tests of the Molecular Imaging Data Grid system have been conducted at the USC IPILab using dedicated VMware servers. System connectivity, evaluated datasets, and preliminary results are presented. The results show the system’s feasibility, limitations, direction of future research.

Conclusions

Translational and interdisciplinary research in medicine is increasingly interested in cellular and molecular biology activity at the preclinical levels, utilizing molecular imaging methods on animal models. The task of integrated archiving, management, and distribution of these preclinical molecular imaging datasets at preclinical molecular imaging facilities is challenging due to disparate imaging systems and multiple off-site investigators. A Molecular Imaging Data Grid design, implementation, and initial evaluation is presented to demonstrate the secure and novel data grid solution for sharing preclinical molecular imaging data across the wide-area-network (WAN).

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Abbreviations

API:

Application Programming Interface

AVI:

Audio Video Interleave

BIRN:

Biomedical Informatics Research Network

DICOM:

Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine

FTP:

File Transfer Protocol

GAP:

Grid-Access-Point

GridFTP:

Grid File Transfer Protocol (Globus Toolkit)

HTTP:

Hypertext Transfer Protocol

IHE:

Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise

IPILab:

Image Processing and Informatics Laboratory University of Southern California

JPEG:

Joint Photographic Experts Group

LAN:

Local-Area-Network

MicroCAT:

Micro Computed Axial Tomography

MicroPET:

Micro Positron Emission Tomography

MIDG:

Molecular Imaging Data Grid

MIMI:

Multi-modality Multi-resource Information Integration

PACS:

Picture Archiving and Communication System

PDF:

Portable Document Format

PET-CT:

Co-registered PET and CT

PNG:

Portable Network Graphics

RLS:

Replica Location Service (Globus Toolkit)

SSL:

Secure Sockets Layer

TIFF:

Tagged Image File Format

UCLA:

University of California–Los Angeles

US:

Ultrasound

USC:

University of Southern California

WAN:

Wide-Area-Network

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IPILab, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, 734 West Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA

    Jasper Lee, Jorge Documet, Brent Liu & H. K. Huang

  2. Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, CSC 103, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Ryan Park & Archana Tank

Authors
  1. Jasper Lee
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  2. Jorge Documet
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  3. Brent Liu
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  4. Ryan Park
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  5. Archana Tank
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  6. H. K. Huang
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Correspondence to Jasper Lee.

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Lee, J., Documet, J., Liu, B. et al. MIDG-Emerging grid technologies for multi-site preclinical molecular imaging research communities. Int J CARS 6, 285–296 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-010-0524-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-010-0524-6

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