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School of Medicine Columbia

Small Animal Imaging

Whole animal imaging techniques offer a holistic approach to studying biological processes in living organisms, providing a comprehensive view of physiological and pathological phenomena. Employing various modalities such as ultrasound, endomicroscopy, and bioluminescence imaging, these methods enable researchers to non-invasively visualize and monitor dynamic changes within intact animals, fostering a deeper understanding of complex biological systems and advancing translational research.

Equipment Options

The Quantum GX microCT multispecies imaging system provides high-resolution images at an X-ray dose low enough to enable true longitudinal imaging capability. With scan times as low as 8 seconds, the Quantum GX supports a workflow of up to 30 subjects per hour, with acquisition, reconstruction, and 3D visualization in under one minute. Automate your microCT imaging analysis, reducing time and increasing reproducibility, with our AccuCT™ advanced automated user-friendly bone analysis software. The Quantum GX is the most versatile small animal microCT imaging instrument proven to work in broad range of applications including, oncology, pulmonary and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, orthopedics and dentistry.

Details

  • High-resolution (4.5 micrometer voxel size)
  • High-speed (8-seconds for 20 x 20 mm scan)
  • Low-dose imaging for longitudinal studies
  • Co-registration of functional optical signals with anatomical microCT imaging
  • Two-magnifications for high, medium and low resolutions
  • Two-phase respiratory and cardiac gating
  • Mouse/rat/rabbit imaging capabilities

Location

IRF B48

IRF Contact

Lorain Junor

The IVIS Spectrum is the newest instrument in the IVIS line of products and performs bioluminescent and epi- and trans- illumination fluorescent imaging. Unique to the IVIS Spectrum in this line of instruments is the capability to sensitively image both bioluminescent and fluorescent  reporters within the same animal and to provide a spectral fingerprint of the signal produced. This is an important advance in in vivo imaging technology as it allows separation of autofluorescence from the emitted signal improving signal resolution.  To obtain the spectral fingerprint the Spectrum uses a series of high efficiency narrow band-pass filters coupled with spectral unmixing algorithms to differentiate between multiple shallow and deep fluorescent sources. This provides a mechanism to optimally perform the wide array of fluorescence/bioluminescence research applications of our investigators. The system is also capable of performing 3D tomographic reconstructions for both bioluminescence and fluorescence.

Details

  • High-sensitivity in vivo imaging of fluorescence and bioluminescence
  • High throughput (5 mice) with 23 cm field of view
  • High resolution (to 20 microns) with 3.9 cm field of view
  • Twenty eight high efficiency filters spanning 430 – 850 nm
  • Supports spectral unmixing applications which is ideal for distinguishing multiple bioluminescent and fluorescent reporters
  • Optical switch in the fluorescence illumination path allows reflection-mode or transmission-mode illumination
  • 3D diffuse tomographic reconstruction for both fluorescence and bioluminescence
  • Ability import and automatically co-register CT or MRI images yielding a functional and anatomical context
  • NIST traceable absolute calibrations
  • Gas anesthesia inlet and outlet ports.
  • Both mouse and rat platforms designed to maintain body temperature during anesthesia
  • Compact isoflurane anesthesiology system with an oxygen regulator and flow meter

Applications

Useful in a wide range of biomedical applications including oncology, cardiovascular diseases, stem cell biology, neurobiology, inflammation, toxicology and drug metabolism.

Location

IRF B48

IRF Contact

Lorain Junor

Equipment Website

The Cellvizio is a dual band (488 and 660nm) probe based confocal laser endomicroscopy system.  It is ideal for molecular imaging at the cell level for preclinical research.  Applications include in vivo imaging in neurosciences (deep brain imaging), cancer and inflammation (spleen, liver, etc) and cardiovascular (vessels, plaques).  Imaging is performed by inserting a small fiber optic probe into an incision.

Details

  • 300mm beveled or flat tip (deep brain imaging in mice or other organs if low invasiveness is required)
  • 650mm flat tip (deep brain imaging in rats or other organs if low invasiveness is required)
  • 1.5mm round tip (general applications)
  • 4.2mm high resolution 100nm working distance (vessels and angiogenesis)
  • 1.8mm long working distance (blood flow through vessel wall without penetration, deep cells in tumors or organs)
  • UltraMini high resolution (vessels, angiogenesis, cell morphology)
  • MiniZ (cavities, eyes)
  • Cerboplex (brain imaging)

Software

  • Hyperscan Module for ultra-fast imaging.
  • Vessel detection software for automatic delineation of vessels, capillaries and vascular bed.
  • Mosaicing software for stitching images for reconstruction of tissues and organs.

Location

VA Building 9 Small Animal Imaging Suite

IRF Contact

Lorain Junor

Equipment Website

The VEVO 3100 is an ultra-high frequency ultrasound imaging system for acquisition of longitudinal in vivo anatomical, functional, physiological and molecular data simultaneously in real time at a resolution of 30 mm.  Both mouse and rat platforms designed to maintain body temperature during anesthesia and a compact isoflurane anesthesiology system with an oxygen regulator and flow meter are available.

Software Packages

  • Analytical software for B-mode image capture and analysis, ECG on screen tracing, measurements and annotations, cineloop image review capture and display
  • M-Mode capture and analysis software for characterization of vessel and heart dynamics including wall thickness
  • Pulsed Wave Doppler package enabling quantitative analysis of blood flow velocity and waveform measurements
  • EKG and Advanced Cardiovascular Software Packages
  • Contrast Enhancement and microbubble imaging software package
  • Microinjection capability

Scan Heads

  • MX 400 20-46 MHz with an axial resolution of 50um
  • MX 250 13-24 MHz with an axial resolution of 50um
  • MX 550D
  • 3D Motor

Applications

  • Cardiovascular- enables real time imaging and analysis of physiological function of the heart chambers and associated major vessels and the ability to monitor morphological changes during heart development and pathology.
  • Cancer biology- enables 2D and 3D tracking of the shape and size of subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor growth in longitudinal studies of the same animal during therapeutic treatment. Software allows volumetric analysis of tumor size and tracking of tumor vasculature and blood flow.
  • Neurobiology- enables real time monitoring of embryonic or neonatal brain development prior to ossification of the skull, cell lineage studies, identification of progressive neural degenerative diseases, and visualization of image guided needle injections and extractions.
  • Developmental biology- longitudinal and dimensional assessment of the same animal from early in development through adulthood, analysis of timed pregnant animals for developmental stage.

Location

IRF B48 and IRF Animal Surgery Suite

IRF Contact

Lorain Junor




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