Small Animal Imaging Shared Resource
Please remember to cite the Shared Resources!
Research reported in this publication was supported by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and the National Institutes of Health under grant number P30 CA016058.
We thank the XX Shared Resource at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH for (XX)
About Us: (back to top)
The Small Animal Imaging Shared Resource (SAISR) is a small-animal imaging facility available to OSUCCC – James investigators and other academic and commercial institutions.
The SAISR houses high-resolution imaging equipment and offers assistance from professionals who are experts in operating each imaging modality, small animal handling and analytical software support for quantitative image analysis.
The SAISR also offers image reconstruction, multi-modality fusion, high-resolution graphics and networking to the facility’s server, as well as training to OSUCCC – James members and other academic and commercial institutions.
Biomedical Research Tower
460 W. 12th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: 614-292-7271
Fax: 614-688-6600
Kimerly.Powell@osumc.edu
Availability: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
After hours upon request and appointment.
Available equipment: 9.4T MRI, BLI/FL, US, SkyScan 1276, SARRP, RS-2000, Gammacell 40 Exactor, and echoMRI
General Email: DHLRI.SAIC@osumc.edu
Anna.Bratasz@osumc.edu; Phone: 614-688-8068
Meet the Team: (back to top)
Rachel Rosenzweig, BS is a Research Associate helping with all aspects of SAIC facilities. She has few years of working in research lab and overseeing mouse colonies.
Available Services (back to top)
The SAISR is a small-animal imaging facility available to investigators at OSUCCC – James as well as to other academic and commercial institutions. Services include:
- High-Resolution Image Data Acquisition
- Data Interpretation
- Image Post-Processing and Quantitative Image Analysis
- Consultation on Design Imaging Studies
- Training and Education
- Instrumentation Equipment
- High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Computed Tomography (micro-CT)
- CT and Therapeutic X-ray (SARRP)
- Gammacell® 40 Exactor Low Dose-Rate Research Irradiator With 2 Caesium-137 Sources
- RS-2000 Biological Irradiator for Small Animals and Cells
- High-Frequency Ultrasound (US)
- Optical Imaging System (BLI and FL)
- Body Composition Analyzer
Click here for full list of services and fees
High-Resolution Image Data Acquisition (back to top)
The SAISR provides high-resolution anatomical and functional imaging of rodent models of disease and ex vivo specimens. Technicians and imaging scientists trained in the use of the specialized image acquisition equipment will collect high-quality image data for individual investigators. In-house training of an investigator’s laboratory personnel in the use of the imaging equipment is also available.
Data Interpretation (back to top)
The SAISR experts help investigators interpret images obtained from the facility’s instrumentation. Our associates are experienced in distinguishing normal and abnormal features in in vivo images of animals and have the training and background to differentiate imaging artifacts from real results. Investigators are encouraged to review their results and data interpretation with SAISR personnel upon imaging study completion.
Image Post-Processing and Quantitative Image Analysis (back to top)
The SAISR offers quantitative image analysis, and each imaging instrument has modality-dependent image analysis software. Additional image analysis and data interpretation is provided via open-source image analysis software and custom-designed software developed by the SAISR and OSC. SAISR also provides remote access to workstation PCs for data analysis.
Consultation on Design Imaging Studies (back to top)
The SAISR’s imaging scientists can help design imaging studies for each investigator’s specific research applications. We recommend contacting a SAISR representative prior to setting up an imaging study to determine the most appropriate imaging modality and protocol for each imaging study.
Training and Education (back to top)
The SAISR provides hands-on training for individual imaging modalities and workshops on image acquisition and data analysis. We also hold seminars on specific research topics in small animal imaging.
Instrumentation Equipment (back to top)
The SAISR facility houses high-resolution small-animal imaging instrumentation and offers assistance from experts in: operating each imaging modality, small-animal handling procedures and analytical software support for quantitative image analysis.
The following micro-imaging equipment includes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), high-frequency ultrasound (US), bioluminescence and fluorescence optical imaging system (BLI/FL), echoMRI for body composition analysis, micro-Computed Tomography (microCT) and X-ray irradiation platforms (RS-2000, SARRP), and Gamma-ray irradiator (GammaCell 40).
SAISR imaging instrumentation comes fully equipped with biological (ECG, respiration, temperature) monitoring equipment and isoflurane anesthesia systems. The instrumentation can be used for in vivo animal imaging or ex vivo specimen investigations.
High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (back to top)
The BioSpec 94/30USR (Bruker BioSpin Co.) Imaging System is a 9.4T horizontal bore magnet that operates at 400 MHz and runs ParaVision™ 6.0.1 software. This microMRI system is designed for high-resolution MR spectroscopy and imaging of in vivo or ex vivo specimens.
The 30 cm diameter bore and extra-long table offers imaging capabilities of 1H, 13C, 19F, 23Na, 31P on mice, rats, small rabbits and ex vivo specimens. The BioSpec also includes a BioTrig monitoring unit and in vivo cardiac gating (SAII and IntraGate).
MRI applications include:
- Skeletal and soft tissue abnormalities
- DCE-MRI for tumor/tissue vascularization and permeability
- in vivospectroscopy to measure metabolites (e.g. 31P)
- in vivolocalized spectroscopy to measure metabolites (1H)
- Cardiac imaging for assessing cardiac function, ischemia and infarcts (Cardio Package)
- T1, T2 and Diffusion maps
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging
- Others
Computed Tomography (micro-CT) (back to top)
The SkyScan 1276 (Bruker BioSpin Co.) is a high-performance, standalone, fast, desktop in vivo microCT with continuously variable magnification for scanning small laboratory animals (mice and rats) and biological samples. It has an unrivalled combination of high resolution (2.8µm), big image size as well as software allowing to acquire data with breathing and ECG gating. It is capable of reconstructing 3D high resolution images throughout the animal body that can be used for quantitative morphometric measurements. The software also allows to perform quantitative bone density measurement. The SkyScan system can be used for:
- Whole body mouse imaging
- Lung imaging in mice and rats (e.g. tumor monitoring)
- Bone imaging and bone density measurements
- Cardiovascular imaging
- Vascularization imaging e.g. brain, tumors, ischemic tissue
- Post contrast imaging for miscellaneous applications
CT and Therapeutic X-ray (SARRP) (back to top)
The SARRP system (XSTRAHL Inc.) delivers clinically relevant radiation protocols under preclinical conditions. The SARRP system can deliver radiation dose locally with very precise collimators from 0.5 mm small focal spot to 10*10 mm window, variable collimators up to 40*80 mm or with open field (typical 15*15 cm, bigger field is possible per application)
The SARRP system can be used for:
- Local tumor treatment with minimalized dose to whole body or individual organs
- To sensitize lesion to different treatment
- Total Body Irradiation (TBI) for e.g. bone marrow or autologous stem cell transplantation
- Studying skin wounds
- Others
Gammacell® 40 Exactor Low Dose-Rate Research Irradiator With 2 Caesium-137 Sources (back to top)
Unit is ready for immediate cell experiment applications with central dose rate ~1.1 Gy/min and dose uniformity of ± 7% over a 260 mm (10.14 in.) diameter and a 100 mm (3.9 in.) height.
The Gammacell system can be used for:
- Cell irradiation to induce apoptosis, study radiation effects, induce gene mutations, etc.
- Total Body Irradiation (TBI) for bone marrow or autologous stem cell transplantation
Note for users: Please parafilm each dish and use your own properly sized secondary containment.
RS-2000 Biological Irradiator for Small Animals and Cells (back to top)
Cell or small-animal irradiation with dose rate ~ 1.2 Gy/min (animal), 5-10 Gy/min (cells). Patented RAD+ technology allows for a dose uniformity of 94%. Allows to irradiate multiple enclosures during one cycle.
The irradiator can be used for:
- Cell irradiation, immune cell replacement therapy, radio-sensitizers development, etc.
- Total Body Irradiation (TBI) or partial body irradiation
High-Frequency Ultrasound (US) (back to top)
The Vevo 2100 (FujiFilm Co.) High-Frequency Ultrasound System is capable of 2D and 3D in vivo imaging in small animals and has a 30-micron spatial resolution and frame rates of up to 1000 fps. The system includes an 18, 24, 38 and 55 MHz transducer, a needle-guided injection apparatus and is capable of color, pulsed wave and power Doppler, 3D imaging and advanced image analysis.
The Vevo can be used for:
- Image-guided injections
- Evaluating developmental biology – mouse and rat embryos
- 3D-Mode Imaging and Volume Analysis (e.g. tumor size)
- Contrast imaging e.g. for tissue or tumor blood perfusion
- Quantitative evaluation of cardiac physiological function and development
- Power and Color Doppler modes for blood flow quantification
Optical Imaging System (BLI and FL) (back to top)
An IVIS Lumina II (PerkinElmer Inc.) Bioluminescent Optical Imaging System is suitable for 2D in vivo and ex vivo bioluminescence (BLI) and fluorescence (FL) imaging. The system is equipped with four standard emission filters ICG, Cy5.5, DsRed, GFP (810-875, 695-770, 575-650, 515-575 nm) for fluorescence imaging.
IVIS Lumina II applications include:
- Imaging of a powerful labeling technique through gene expression results in production of luciferase
- Provides in vivoBLI and FL imaging (preferable near-infrared)
- Provides ex vivoFL and in vitro BLI and FL imaging
- Provides analysis tools for quantification
Body Composition Analyzer (back to top)
EchoMRI (EchoMRI LLC) Analyzer delivers precise body composition measurements of fat, lean, free water and total water masses in live animals (up to 100g), organ (up to 7g) or biopsy (up to 300µg). Scanning takes 0.5-3.2 minutes. The live animals need no anesthesia and no special preparation before measurement.
EchoMRI system can be used for cancer, cardiac, toxicology, diabetic, nutritional studies and others.
Please remember to cite the Shared Resources!
Research reported in this publication was supported by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and the National Institutes of Health under grant number P30 CA016058.
We thank the XX Shared Resource at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH for (XX)