Acquisition of an IVIS Spectrum 2 for Localization and Quantification of Fluorescence and Bioluminescence in Live Animals

Rutgers Biomedical And Health Sciences, Newark NJ

Investigators

Abstract

SUMMARY We request funding to purchase of an IVIS™ Spectrum 2 to be housed at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) Advanced Preclinical Imaging Laboratory (APIL) which is part of the Rutgers University Molecular Imaging Core (RUMIC). The Spectrum 2 is a state-of-the-art optical imaging platform for in vivo imaging of live specimens ranging from cells to rodents. It will support 20 currently-funded projects of 8 major users and additional minor users. It advances research programs focused on parasitic and viral infections, pancreatic cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, intestinal diseases such as colitis and improved methods for drug delivery. The investigators listed on this shared instrumentation proposal utilize optical imaging to study a wide variety of biological processes. One group of investigators uses it to detect and quantify drug distribution. A second group of investigators uses it to track disease progression in different tumor models. A third group of investigators uses it to detect dissemination of pathogens and quantify pathogen replication. The thermoelectrically cooled CCD camera in the Spectrum 2 enables use of a broad range of bioluminescent, fluorescent and chemiluminescent reporters, as well as Cerenkov luminescence. It attains improved quantum efficiency from a patented coating that captures more signal across the visible and near- infrared wavelengths. This enables highly sensitive, non-invasive 2D bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging which can be algorithmically reconstructed into 3D images. The improved signal-to-noise ratio provides high- quality images with excellent resolution. The Spectrum 2 has a standard high-throughput 22.5 cm field of view for simultaneous imaging of 5 mice, extendable to 10 mice with the optional 10-mouse manifold. Trans- illumination from underneath the samples enables detection of fluorescence even from deep tissue and epi- illumination aids imaging that requires higher throughput. The image analysis software is widely adopted, intuitive and user friendly. It removes autofluorescence and separately quantifies multiplexed fluorescent signals. Fluorescence and bioluminescence signals are quantified in 2D or reconstructed 3D space and viewed in the context of idealized anatomical structures. Accessories are designed to streamline imaging workflow and boost throughput for expedited data acquisition. In summary, the IVIS Spectrum 2 represents cutting-edge in vivo optical imaging that will propel research forward and lead to therapeutic advances to improve human health.