The mission of this UCSF-based laboratory has been expanded from its former tight focus of developing new image-enhancing pharmaceuticals. The research scope now encompasses the application of imaging techniques to evaluations of pharmaceuticals and the development of new imaging methods to evaluate disease processes at the molecular level. Our new mission is reflected in our new name: Center for Pharmaceutical and Molecular Imaging. We intend to continue introducing young investigators to the joys of basic radiological/imaging research. The CPMI was recently awarded a new grant to develop optical laser-based imaging and novel fluorescing contrast agents with a focus on better characterizing breast cancer at the molecular level. The new optical imager is now operational and research is proceding. The primary facility is a 1,080-square-foot chemistry laboratory centrally located on the main UCSF campus. This facility is being remodeled and reorganized to permit advanced image-processing development as well as optical imaging and the already established chemistry capabilities.