A replacement interventional/diagnostic CT scanner for the Large Animal Research and Imaging Facility to enhance biomedical and translational research

Pre-clinical research relies on in vitro and rodent studies. Unfortunately, despite enormous investment, between 86–95% of drugs fail to show efficacy or gain approval for use. The reasons for these failures are complex, but the tendency to jump from rodent derived therapeutics into the clinic (often via pharmacodynamic and toxicity studies in non-human primates) likely plays a role. The use of large animal models, which better replicate human anatomy/physiology and underlying disease pathophysiology, has been used successfully to address this issue. Whilst this may be somewhat contentious, to improve translational hit rates, we need to integrate pre-clinical large animal models into the drug development process. Advanced, clinically relevant, imaging techniques play a vital role in validating large animal models of human disease and in evaluating new treatments. The University of Edinburgh’s (UoEs) Large Animal Research and Imaging Facility (LARIF)?is a world-leading research facility; opened in 2021, it represents the culmination of a £24M investment. LARIF is dedicated to large animal translational and livestock research, and is well-equipped to translate medical breakthroughs up the clinical path for human patients. Alongside state-of-the-art surgical suites, LARIF has imaging modalities comparable with a human hospital, including optical coherence tomography, ultrasound and a 3 T MRI platform. However, we currently rely on a now ageing Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS64 CT scanner. State-of-the-art 16 years ago and originally supported by the Wellcome Trust to establish our critical care laboratories, the scanner has been instrumental in many of our studies of human disorders in large animal models. These studies have included pesticide toxicity, neurodegenerative conditions, medical device development for pulmonary and cardiology applications and, most notably, a £10M research project modelling human lung tumours in sheep. We have a wealth of expertise and workflows attracting researchers to our facility and now seek to further bolster our standing in this space, leveraging from existing investment, to procure a new dual source CT scanner with increased image resolution, dynamic imaging capabilities and dedicated in-room interventional capabilities. These advancements would result in improved image quality, shorter scan times, and reduced subject and operator radiation exposure, all of which are requisites for conducting advanced biomedical studies. To reinforce LARIF’s position at the forefront of biomedical/translational research, this machine would focus on modelling interventional procedures and precision/personalised medicine approaches, comparable to that being performed in human clinics. Our overall objective is to maintain LARIFs status as a BBSRC National Bioscience Research Infrastructure, enhance imaging capabilities and attract new academic/industrial partners. This will allow us to develop new research areas, including cohort studies to understand the pathophysiology of diseases, experimental medicine studies to assess potential therapeutic interventions and even preclinical randomised controlled trials aimed at informing human trials to improve patient outcomes. Having imaging facilities engineered for a range of clinical situations also provides opportunities for healthcare practitioners to undertake procedural development and training. This application sits at the heart of MRCs strategic delivery plan, in particular their investment into the development of medical imaging within the areas of neuroscience, cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Altogether, this application has the ability to reinforce the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies pre-eminent status and the University’s world ranking, thereby helping fulfil UKRI’s role in delivering the government’s ambitions for the UK as a global leader in research and innovation.