IN VIVO IMAGING - WHITE PAPERS

 

How to use a Lentivirus as a vehicle for reporter gene transfection of cells.

Lentivirus protocol to make your own luciferase cell lines, Fast and easy.

Labeling cells with a genetically encoded reporter gene (firefly luciferase, red fluorescent protein, transferrin, thymidine kinase, etc.) is the number one choice for in vivo molecular imaging. Various transfection protocols to introduce foreign DNA in cells exist. A virus is nature’s own shuttle of genetic material and therefore viral infection is by far the most efficient transduction method even for resilient cell lines. A lentivirus Read more

Are you new to in vivo imaging? (Part 1 Ultrasound, Optical, MRI)

An in vivo imaging modalities overview

In vivo imaging in laboratory animals is a relatively new methodology that is gaining fast acceptance in biomedical research.  Imaging modalities frequently utilized in in vivo research are mostly adaptations from familiar, clinical imaging instrumentation such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT, SPECT, PET and MRI. However, newer technologies such as Optical Imaging and Intravital Microscopy originated with lab animal applications in mind. The diverse choice in imaging platforms available may foster the question of which modality is the best fit for your research model. Read more

Imaging tumor perfusion with Contrast Ultrasound:

Response to therapy assessment.

Microbubble ultrasound contrast agents have been used for qualitative assessment of solid lesions in a clinical setting for several years. Recent work has described the use of these agents for measurement of the tumor vasculature, primarily as a quantitative endpoint for monitoring patient response to anti-cancer therapy. The size of the microbubble agent (1-8 um) renders them purely intravascular flow tracers, and early work confirmed that the kinetics of these agents in the blood are similar to that of erythrocytes Read more

In Vivo Optical Imaging Reporters

There is a plethora of choice in reporter tags for non-invasive in vivo optical imaging (fluorescence and bioluminescence) that are currently available from various commercial suppliers. This generates tremendous flexibility on one hand, but dilemma of choice on the other. This manuscript reviews the determining factors and will facilitate decision making using an interactive flow chart. Read more

D-Luciferin: in vivo imaging methods

D-luciferin [(S)-2-(6′-hydroxy-2′-benzothiazolyl)thiazoline-4-carboxylic acid] is the substrate of the North American firefly Photinus Pyralis luciferase and Clickbeetle Red and Clickbeetle Green luciferase. Luciferin is a low molecular weight (318.41 g/mole) organic compound that consists of a benzothiazole moiety attached to a thiazole carboxylic acid moiety. Luciferin is a small molecule which freely diffuses across membranes. When luciferin is injected in vivo Read more

Cell Culture Techniques for In Vivo Grafting

Mouse models for in vivo imaging of cancer established by in vivo grafting of syngeneic or xenogeneic cells in recipient animals are commonly practiced. Success of these studies relies upon solid cell culture technique. This article covers sterile technique, thawing and freezing, subculture and preparation of cells for grafting. Read more

Mouse Microbubble Imaging – contrast enhanced ultrasound, gene therapy and drug delivery

Microbubbles for in vivo ultrasound mouse imaging are encapsulated, inert gas filled colloidal particles. Upon intravenous injection, they are used as ultrasound contrast agents. Read more

Inhalation Anesthesia for in vivo molecular imaging

Inhalation anesthesia with isoflurane is quickly becoming the standard method of general anesthesia for rats and mice used in biomedical research and is imperative for in vivo imaging. Inhalation anesthetics, breathing circuits, gas scavenging systems and oxygen flow rate are discussed.  Read more

Lab Animal Anesthesia - inhalation and injectable protocols

Instrumentation and methods for gas anesthesia and dosing for injectable anesthetics such as xylazine/ketamine and avertin are described. Read more

 

MICAD DATABASE - NEW AGENTS

 

PET Agents

¹²⁴I-A11 Target: Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA)

¹²⁴I-bm2B3-Db8 Target: Prostate stem-cell antigen (PSCA)

[¹²⁴I]-IMP-R4-ch806 Target: Epidermal growth factor receptor deletion variant de2-7 (EGFRvIII)

⁶⁴Cu-PEG27 AVP04-07 Target: Tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG-72)

⁶⁴Cu-DOTA-AgRP-7C Target: α_vβ₃, α_vβ₅, and α₅β₁

(R)-[¹⁸F]FAMP Target: L-type and A-type amino acid transporter

(R)-[¹⁸F]NMeFAMP Target: L-type and A-type amino acid transporter

[¹⁸F]MC1-27 Target: Mitochondrial complex 1 (MC1)

 

SPECT Agents

[¹¹¹In]Bomproamide Target: Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)

 

[¹¹¹In]-CHX-A”-DTPA-mAb806 Target: Epidermal growth factor receptor deletion variant de2-7 (EGFRvIII)

 

[¹²⁵I]-mAb806 Target: Epidermal growth factor receptor deletion variant de2-7 (EGFRvIII)

 

MRI Agents

¹⁷O-Labeled water Target: Cerebral blood flow (CBF)

 

¹⁷O-Oxygen Target: Cerebral rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO2) and cerebral blood flow (CBF)

 

Optical Agents

Alexa750-Z_HER2:342 Target: EGF HER2 receptor

 

IRDye800-YC-27 Target: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)

 

Ultrasound Agents

PEGylated gold nanoparticles Target: Non-targeted

 

SWNT-ICG-RGD Target: α_vβ₃