Preclinical Imaging Shared Resource

PROJECT SUMMARY: PRECLINICAL IMAGING SHARED RESOURCE Understanding complex biological phenomena often governing life and death in cancer patients requires analysis and understanding at the single cell or molecular level, as well as a whole organ and/or systemic level approach/understanding. The Preclinical Imaging Center (PIC) at UNMC houses specialized imaging equipment from three complementary research cores (IVIS Optical Imaging, Ultrasonic Imaging, Multiphoton Intravital and Tissue Imaging) to allow PFBCC researchers to readily transition across imaging modalities and generate multi-level, multi-dimensional datasets. When used individually, or in combination to maximize impact and rigor, the PIC provides researchers with all the tools necessary to evaluate critical morphological, physiological, and/or cellular changes responsible for disease onset, progression, and response/resistance across a diverse set of biological samples. Within the PIC, innovative, comprehensive, and cost-effective imaging resources pertinent to a diverse collection of cancer studies are available to BCC researchers. The IVIS Optical Imaging Core (IVIS Spectrum In Vivo Imaging System) provides high throughput 2D and 3D imaging of both bioluminescent and fluorescent reporters in live animals that can be evaluated in an anatomical context using the Digital Mouse Atlas or co- registered with MRI or CT images. The Ultrasonic Imaging Core (US) houses multiple ultrasonic and photoacoustic imaging technologies allowing researchers to perform basic ultrasound, contrast imaging, Doppler, 3D and 4D imaging, and photoacoustic imaging in live animals. The Multiphoton Intravital and Tissue Imaging Core (MITI) combines intravital microscopy and multiphoton excitation/imaging to provide both high- resolution (submicron) and whole organ/tissue imaging in live animals, tissue explants, organoids, and various fixed samples in 2D and 3D. The PIC is a cancer-focused research center housed within a larger Small Animal Imaging Facility (SAIF) providing BCC researchers with access to additional small animal imaging resources including, small animal MRI, SPECT/CT, and Optical Surgical Navigation. Additional affiliated research cores (Advanced Microscopy, Electron Microscopy, Image Guided Irradiation, Animal Behavior) provide complementary resources further extending the research repertoire and data integration capabilities of our researchers. In addition to its instrumentation, by providing custom-tailored, one-on-one training, and expertise/experience in experimental design, image acquisition, and data analysis, the PIC provides cancer researchers with all the tools necessary to achieve new insights into the most daunting of research challenges. Furthermore, with the shared resources available at the PIC, BCC researchers have the exceptional opportunity to actively integrate imaging data obtained from various translational animal models using multiple imaging technologies which both parallel, and expand, clinical imaging modalities available on campus.