The UM6P School of Applied and Engineering Physics, has developed an advanced methodology to enhance the precision of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) for plant imaging using GATE Monte Carlo simulations.
This innovative study addresses the longstanding challenge of positron range effects that compromise image accuracy, validating the GATE model on the Siemens Biograph Vision system in accordance with NEMA NU 2-2018 standards.
By analyzing different radioisotopes (18F, 11C, 15O, 30P) and simulating plant phantom interactions, the team demonstrated significant improvements in image fidelity—including a sixfold enhancement for 15O and a threefold enhancement for 11C under applied magnetic fields.
The research highlights the potential of integrating PET with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to correct for positron range effects, paving the way for more accurate, plant-centric imaging strategies in biological and agricultural research.
This collaborative work positions Monte Carlo-based PET modeling as a powerful tool for improving non-invasive plant diagnostics and reinforces UM6P’s leadership in simulation-driven advances for biomedical and environmental imaging technologies.