The Animal Imaging Core provides services for molecular imaging of rodent models of human cancer.The Core provides investigators with non-invasive, high-resolution quantitative imaging-based capabilitiesfor metabolic and genetic characterization of tumors and their microenvironment, including in vivo traffickingof tumor cells. This is accomplished by monitoring of 'directly-targeting' probes and of the expression ofsingle and multi-modality reporter genes using optical (bioluminescence and fluorescence), radionuclide(PET, SPECT, and autoradiography), MRI/MRS, CT, and US imaging. These imaging techniques are wellestablishedat MSKCC for small-animal imaging studies. They are quantitative and non-invasive and thusreadily adaptable to longitudinal studies. The Animal Imaging Core also provides investigators with accessto critical ancillary equipment and services such as a Fuji Film BAS-180011 phosphor-plate digitalautoradiography system, a digital-camera-equipped Olympus B 201 fluorescence microscope withmotorized stage, and a Microm HM500M cryostatic microtome.As part of a major expansion and modernization of MSKCC's infrastructure (Phase 1), part of the ImagingCore has recently re-located to the C4 level within the Vivarium of the new Zuckerman Research Center.This area provides enhanced biosecurity and functionality and houses our R4 and Focus 120 microPETdedicated high-resolution small-animal (rodent) PETs, new MS 200 optical imaging system, microCAT IIdedicated small-animal (rodent) CT, and X-SPECT dedicated small-animal SPECT-CT. The existing MS100 optical imaging system and recently installed Vevo 770 ultrasound system have been re-located torefurbished space on the 12th floor of the Rockefeller Research Laboratory providing improved access tothe primary users of these two systems. The Imaging Core's 4.7-T 40-cm bore and 7.0-T 31-cm BruckerNMR imaging and spectroscopy systems are currently located in the MRI Building. In Phase 2 of MSKCC'scapital expansion and modernization, all of the foregoing instrumentation of the Imaging Core will beconsolidated in spacious, state-of the-art quarters with the Center's vivarium.
Showing the most recent 10 out of 8799 publications
