University Medical Center Groningen
The PARticle Therapy REsearch Center (PARTREC) is a newly established research facility at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). PARTREC research activities are focused on medical applications and encompass medical physics, radiation biology, radiotherapy and instrumentation technology.
PARTREC operates the superconducting cyclotron AGOR and is unique in being able to provide proton and different types of ion beams, employed for a wide range of experiments in dedicated test beam rooms. Recently, it has received substantial funding from the Dutch Cancer Society and University of Groningen to upgrade its beam lines and to create an infrastructure for X-ray image guided stereotactic irradiations. In addition, PARTREC has the ability to support the users during the complete process of experiment development, the actual irradiation and its follow-up. For the animal irradiations, PARTREC can provide on-site animal accommodation with individually ventilated cage (IVCs) with a capacity of up to 200 rats and mice. For the experimental follow-up, the UMCG central animal facility for animal handling prior and post irradiation can be used. UMCG-GronSAI imaging center provides the possibilities to perform optical, structural and functional imaging of the animal models prior and post irradiation using fluorescence, bioluminescence, PET, CT, MR and multi-modality imaging systems. In addition, the local data management facilities could be used to store, process and analyze the irradiation related data.