Echocardiography, positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) can be used for anatomic and functional imaging of the heart. MIC offers high resolution, high sensitivity small animal imaging modalities that support cardiovascular research in multiple animal models of human cardiovascular disease. The imaging modalities can support various applications including, but not limited to:

 

• Detailed visualization (down to 30 microns) and quantification of cardiac function in real time in conscious or unconscious mice with high frequency small animal ultrasound (Visual Sonics)

• Quantitative evaluation of cardiovascular system with the associated major vessels

• Assessment of metabolic status of cardiac myocardium with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and or other metabolic tracers such as 18F based fatty acid tracers (18F-FTHA)

• Angiography with computed tomography

• Visualization and quantification of blood vessel changes down to capillary level in ex vivo hearts using high resolution specimen CT scanners

The MIC offers high resolution, high sensitivity small animal imaging modalities that support cancer research in multiple animal models of oncology. The imaging modalities can support various applications including, but not limited to:

 

• High resolution ultrasound for image guided injections to generate orthotopic or metastatic xenograft models with human cancer cell lines (Visual Sonics)

• Measurement/monitoring of tumor growth non-invasively with multiple methods (e.g. bioluminescence imaging, ultrasound, CT)

• Measurement of tumor oxygenation content with photoacoustic imaging

• 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) imaging of tumors

• PET/CT imaging of molecular changes with custom tracers targeted against cellular proliferation (18F-FMAU,18F-FHBG), integrin expression (64CU-RGD) or other custom biomarkers

• PET/CT imaging of targeted gene therapy with HSV-TK vectors (18F-FHBG, 18F-FEAU)

• Determine angiogenesis and tumor perfusion rates with contrast enhanced high resolution ultrasound

• Lymph node imaging (ICG staining) with ultrasound

 

 

 

Direct or indirect labeling of novel compounds or cells coupled with high sensitivity imaging multi-modality imaging systems provide the opportunity for in vivo evaluation non-invasively and in real time. The technical expertise and imaging systems at the MIC can:

• Aid in labeling tracers/drugs with fluorescence or biologics with radiometals for in vivo studies.

• Allow investigators the opportunity to follow the distributive properties of novel compounds (both small molecule and biologics) or labeled cell populations in vivo for various therapeutic areas

• Visualize and quantify whole body biodistribution of exploratory compounds ranging from small molecules to biologics using fluorescence based optical imaging or PET

• Investigate multiple probes/targets simultaneously in vivo with multispectral fluorescence imaging

• Whole body distribution of radio-labeled targets or isotope with fluorine 18 or radiometalic (Copper 64, Zirconium 89) labeled compounds or targets

• Utilize imaged based quantification methods for kinetic modeling of radiotracers/radiolabeled drugs

• Conduct dosimetry studies

• Quantify tumor perfusion rates using contrast enhanced microbubbles (Visual Sonics)

 

 

Molecular imaging methods can be used to support research into the brain and the central nervous system through looking at:

• Whole brain glucose metabolism using 18F-FDG

• AmyvidTM (florbetapir F-18) imaging of amyloid imaging

• Traumatic brain injury

• Brain hemodynamics in the central nervous system of small animals (neurobiology)

• Development of novel tracers/drugs targeting the central nervous system

 

Improvements in the sensitivity of small animal imaging systems and the development of novel cell labeling probes and nanoparticles have paved the way for investigating mammalian development through a systems biology approach. The MIC offers imaging modalities that facilitate research in developmental biology and stem cell research by providing:

 

• High frequency ultrasound can be used to detect early pregnancy/implantation and monitor rodent embryonic development (Visual Sonics)

• Real time image guided needle injection and extractions into the embryos in utero or drugs, chemicals or genetic material etc

• High resolution microCT for visualization developmental defects in embryos

• Labeling of stem cells and tracking in vivo

The MIC offers high resolution, high through-put specimen imaging modalities that support research in domains ranging from agriculture to metamaterial research. The imaging systems create platforms to perform 2D / 3D visualization, analysis and quantification of:

• Material composition
• Phase distributions
• Texture
• Pore space / Porosity / Pore Connectivity
• Fracture

Variety of materials including but not limited to:

• Foam
• Ceramic
• Composites
• Polymers
• Porous Rocks
• Stones
• Wood
• Hydroxyapatite
• Food samples

We also specialize in customizing software for research specific requirements such as:

• Creation of data specific filters to improve signal to noise ratio of the data

• Development of modules for automated image processing and analysis to bolster high-throughput analysis

• Creation of CAD models for advanced mechanical analysis such finite element (FE) analysis

• Visualization, analysis and quantification of FE results