Laboratory for Multi-Modality Imaging Assessment and Small Animal Imaging Core
Director: Kurt R. Zinn, DVM, PhD
Department/Center Association: Medicine and Radiology/Comprehensive Cancer Center
Established: 2003
Mission
The facility was established to enable UAB researchers to apply non-invasive, molecular
imaging technologies in animal models. Imaging is accomplished with a range of imaging
modalities, including gamma camera imaging, X-ray CT, bioluminescence, fluorescence, and
ultrasound imaging. It is expected that the successful application of small animal imaging will
speed efforts to translate basic research to human clinical trials.
The goals of the facility include the following: 1) to apply imaging to evaluate the health
status of animal models, including the function of organ systems; 2) to detect and monitor
cancer progression during therapeutic intervention; 3) to evaluate targeting of gene therapy
vectors for various applications; 4) to evaluate targeting of peptide, proteins, and unique
molecular conjugates; 5) to develop imaging approaches for autoimmune disease research; and
6) to develop new instrumentation and imaging systems for increasing the sensitivity and
specificity for molecular imaging.
Facility Description
Research laboratories are housed in the Boshell Building and an additional imaging suite
was recently completed in Volker Hall. The Boshell facility encompasses approximately 2,000
square feet, including the following areas: animal housing, radiolabeling, imaging, in vitro assays,
and tissue culture. The Boshell Laboratory houses two gamma cameras, and a SPECT/CT
system for 3-dimensional SPECT imaging in combination with X-ray CT. SPECT is an acronym
for single photon emission computed tomography, an imaging technique that allows for 3dimensional detection of gamma-emitting tracers in animals at approximately 1 mm resolution.
Two IVIS-100 imaging systems (Xenogen, Inc.) are also available for bioluminescence and
fluorescence imaging. Fluorescence tomographic imaging is accomplished with a pulse laser
system that can measure both fluorescence intensity and lifetime. A high frequency ultrasound
instrument is also available with 20, 30, 40, and 55 MHz probes.
Research Information
The development and validation of new molecular imaging approaches has great
potential to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of cancer in animal models. The advantages
of multi-modality imaging assessment are that it is repeatable, non-invasive, and capable of
evaluating the entire animal model (or human) over time.
The Small Animal Imaging Core is a shared facility supported by the CCC core grant
from the NCI. The facility supports preclinical cancer research by providing a unique, noninvasive evaluation of 1) tumor location and mass, 2) receptors important in the growth and
spread of cancer, and 3) tumor targeting with cells.
Bioluminescence Imaging
Bioluminescence imaging is an efficient and sensitive method to detect luciferase
expression in living animals. Applications include measurement of tumor mass, tumor
metastasis, trafficking of injected cells, verification of gene therapy vector targeting, imaging of
signaling, and screening promoter constructs driving luciferase expression in transgenic mice.
Images are collected at 10 min after intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 mg luciferin in mice, or 7.5
mg in rats. During imaging the animals are maintained under isoflurane anesthesia at 37 oC.
Imaging is performed several times on each mouse. Image acquisition times for imaging ranges
from 20 sec to 10 min. Data acquisition software ensures that no pixels are saturated during
image collection. Light emission from animal regions (photons/sec) is measured using software
provided by the vendor (Xenogen). The intensity of light emission is represented with a
pseudocolor scaling of the bioluminescent images. The bioluminescent images are typically
overlaid on black and white photographs of the animals that are collected at the same time.
Services
Instrument charges are at the rate of $100 per hour. Bioluminescence studies related to
cancer are currently $5 per mouse image. Investigators are encouraged to include percent
effort in grant applications to cover technical assistance for imaging procedures. Please contact
the Director for questions related to inclusion of faculty effort in grant applications, especially for
plans related to the development of new imaging technologies or imaging probes.
Contact Information
Director: Kurt Zinn, DVM, PhD
Email: kurtzinn@uab.edu
Phone: 205-975-6414
Approved by: Kurt R. Zinn, DVM, PhD, Director
Date: February 27, 2007
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