Tracer kinetic modeling is a technique that exploits mathematical models to enable quantitative characterization of the targeted physiologically significant molecular processes, e.g., in cancer and other major diseases. The technique has a long research history in molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET), but its broad clinical applications have been hampered due to limited scanner performance. Along with the recent boost in the sensitivity of commercial PET scanners and the advent of total-body PET technology (e.g., EXPLORER and Penn PET Explorer), there is an urgent need to accelerate kinetic modeling research and clinical translation. However, the field is challenged by insufficient state-of-the-art kinetic modeling resources, limited access to educational opportunities and high-performance dynamic data, and a lack of young-generation researchers in this area despite very broad interests in tracer kinetic modeling in the technical society, e.g., the IEEE.

Mission

The Open Kinetic Modeling Initiative (OpenKMI) is aimed at opening up more educational opportunities and research resources on tracer kinetic modeling in the technical community of molecular imaging.

Action