Optical Imaging - Biomedical Research Imaging Center

Instruments

IVIS Spectrum

Located in Marsico Hall, the IVIS^®Spectrum (PerkinElmer Inc.) in vivo imaging system combines 2D optical and 3D optical tomography in one platform. This instrument can be used in conjunction with our Quantum GX2 CT system to combine 3D optical with CT imaging

Main Imaging Features

True 3D fluorescence and bioluminescence capabilities
Spectral unmixing available for using multiple fluorescent or bioluminescent probes
Image up to five mice, or one rat, without additional lenses
10 excitation filters (430-745nm) and 20nm narrow-band emission filters (500nm-840nm) are available

IVIS Lumina

The IVIS-Lumina (PerkinElmer Inc.) provides highly sensitive bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging with physiological relevant molecular and functional information. The IVIS Lumina is located in the Genetic Medicine Building room UB61 and facilitates optical imaging studies with animals located only in the GMB vivarium.

Main Imaging Features

Capable of bioluminescence imaging and fluorescence imaging
10 excitation filters, 25 narrow-band emission filters (500nm-800nm) and 4 broad-band emission filters are available.
Adjustable field of view with default 3 mice or 1 rat to be imaged in one field of view. The FOV can be enlarged with additional demagnification lens to have 5 mice imaged simultaneously.

AMI HT

The Ami system is capable of providing both bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging on animals and tissue specimens for preclinical research. The system is housed in Marsico Hall SAI imaging facility. The Ami system is very similar to the IVIS system in terms of imaging performance and operation.

Main Imaging Features

Can image five mice without demagnification lens
Wavelength specific LED excitation light source for fluorescence imaging
Aura imaging software with unlimited seat licenses (downloadable online)
Analysis can be done on any 64bit Windows computer

Imaging Applications and Examples

3D Brain Imaging

3D bioluminescence imaging of brain tumor pre-surgery (PIs: Kristy Ainslie and Shawn Hingtgen, courtesy of Liz Gurysh)

3D Lung Imaging

3D fluorescence imaging and volumetric analysis of primary and metastatic mouse lung tumors (PI: Chad Pecot, courtesy of Emily Harrison)

Tumor Hypoxia Imaging

2D fluorescence hypoxia optical imaging of FaDu tumor following four hours of carbogen breathing (PI: Hong Yuan)

Inflammatory Response Imaging

Fluorescence imaging of knee inflammation post-surgery (PI: Lara Longobardi, courtesy of Huseyin Ozkan)

Other Optical Imaging Study Examples

Infectious Disease
Metabolic Disease
Neurology
Gene Therapy
Stem cell Biology
Cardiovascular Disease
Drug metabolism
Cherenkov radiation imaging

Study Initiation, Training and Scheduling

The SAI offers monthly group training on all optical imaging systems and private training can be arranged (will include fee for machine time and staff support. Please click on this link to learn more. To initate a new optical imaging study, please send an email to bricsai@med.unc.edu to schedule a meeting and register your project by following the study initiation link. Please contact us at bricsai@med.unc.edu or call us at 919-966-2855 with any questions about your optical study. Optical imaging can be scheduled after training by SAI staff through iLab. Please follow the instructions at the Schedule a Study link for more details or contact us at bricsai@med.unc.edu with questions.

Cost

The current internal rate for optical imaging is $48/hr. Imaging time is highly dependent upon the study protocol so please contact the SAI for budget information. You can also see our rates at this link.