Small Animal Imaging Lab

Purpose
The Small Animal Imaging Laboratory (SAIL) Core provides advanced and affordable multi-modality imaging services including consultation, imaging and image analysis for both basic and translational research. As a cutting-edge research facility, SAIL offers state of the art instrumentation including a 7T MRI, multimodal PET/SPECT/CT, ultrasound and optical modalities.

Established procedures are in place to evaluate tumor development, progression, metastasis and therapy response in rodent models of cancer. A large variety of studies ranging from development of imaging biomarkers, contrast agents and tumor targeting agents, to evaluating tumor metabolism and microenvironment, and high-resolution anatomical imaging of human specimens have been successfully conducted.

To provide means for non-invasive, longitudinal assessments of detailed animal anatomy, physiology, metabolism and gene-expression, basic and advanced image analysis is offered for each imaging modality.

Services
MRI/MRS (7 Tesla Biospec, Bruker Biospin Inc.)

• Non-invasive high-resolution 3D imaging with and without contrast agents.
• Spectroscopy and spectroscopic imaging correlating anatomical and metabolic information.
• Hyperpolarization for a 10,000-fold sensitivity increase in spectra.

Nuclear Medicine Imaging CT/PET/SPECT (Siemens Inveon, Scanco uCT 35)

• In vivo 3D multi-modal imaging in one session.
• High-resolution datasets for microanatomy and lung nodule detection (CT).
• High-resolution anatomical imaging in-vivo.
• Using positron-emitting tracers, assess uptake and metabolism (PET).
• Using gamma-emitting radioisotopes to assess functional information (SPECT).
• Ex vivo high resolution bone imaging (CT). 

Optical Imaging: Bioluminscence (Bruker Xtreme, IVIS 100 & 200, Perkin-Elmer)

• Bioluminescent cells engineered to express the firefly luciferase gene for in vivo tracking during tumor formation are available.
• Evaluation of xenograft tumor growth and therapy response by injection of luciferin substrate and the subsequent detection of released photons. 

Optical Imaging: Fluorescence (Bruker Xtreme, Perkin-Elmer FMT 2500, SurgVision, Fluoptix Fluobeam 700, iQID)

• Fluorescence imaging is used to detect cells expressing fluorescent protein or to track the pharmacokinetics of fluorescent-dye conjugated agents in 2D/3D.
• Radioisotopic & radiographic imaging of ²²³Ra, ²²⁵Ac based biomarkers.
• X-ray and visible light imaging for overlay.
• Quantification of changes in bone and soft tissue phenotype.
• Multispectral analysis of multiple fluorescent samples in a single sample, or to eliminate background autofluorescence.
• Real-time fluorescence imaging for fluorescence-guided surgery using targeted imaging agents.

Ultrasound Imaging (Vevo 2100)

• Ultrasound for non-invasive imaging of internal organs and tumor morphology.
• Rapid and accurate determination of tumor volume.
• Guided injection of cells into internal organ sites for formation of orthotopic xenograft tumors.
• Doppler and micro-bubble contrast imaging to determine tumor perfusion.

3D Printing (Stratasys Objet24, Ultimaker 3)

• 3D printing for co-registration of imaging and histology.
• Custom parts (phantoms, holders) for MRI, CT, microscopy and others as needed.

Location
The SAIL is located in the Stabile Research Building (SRB) Vivarium.

Scheduling
The SAIL uses a Laboratory Information Management Suite (LIMS) located on the Moffittnet for billing and usage tracking.

Publications
All publications based on work conducted in the SAIL Core should acknowledge the facility.  A suggested statement is as follows:

This work has been supported in part by the Small Animal Imaging Lab Core at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, a comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute and funded in part by Moffitt’s Cancer Center Support Grant (P30-CA076292) 

If a Core Staff member(s) significantly contributes or participates in a project, investigators are encouraged to consider including the individual(s) in the list of authors.

Contacts
Scientific Director
David Morse, PhD 
813-745-8948
David.Morse@moffitt.org

Core Manager
Mikalai M. Budzevich, PhD
813-745-4137
Mikalai.Budzevich@moffitt.org