Introduction

The PerkinElmer IVIS Spectrum CT preclinical in vivo imaging system is an integrative platform that combines the full suite of IVIS optical features including Spectral Unmixing, 2D and 3D quantitative bioluminescence and fluorescence with fast and low dose CT imaging, ideal for longitudinal studies.

The system provides researchers with insights into biological systems by enabling simultaneous molecular and anatomical non-invasive imaging in animal models.

Fast imaging and the ability to image multiple animals offer the throughput required to scan large cohorts of animals quickly and draw sound conclusions from experimental data.

The system is equipped with an isoflurane anesthesia system, low-autofluorescence optics, and a cooled CCD camera (‑90°C) in addition to the X-ray source.

The IVIS SpectrumCT is equipped with 10 excitation filters and 18 emission filters to image fluorescent sources that emit from green to near-infrared. The high speed, low dose, microCT module can be used to produce high-resolution 3D images of mouse skeletal structure.

 Available fluorescence filters

Applications

• Quantitative longitudinal measurement of tumor development, metastasis, angiogenesis, and response to therapy
• Trafficking of cellular and other biological therapies (e.g., immune cell, stem cell, or viral therapeutic platforms or antibodies, peptides, metabolites, etc.)
• Monitoring of host immune cell responses
• Distribution, quantification, and kinetic analyses of gene expression or enzymatic activity in vivo

Key features include:

• Integrated optical and microCT technology
• 3D optical tomography for fluorescence and bioluminescence
• High sensitive detection technology ideal for:
• Bioluminescence
• Multispectral fluorescence and spectral unmixing
• Cerenkov imaging for optical radiotracer imaging
• Low dose and ultra fast microCT
• DyCE dynamic enhanced imaging for real time distribution studies of both fluorochromes and PET tracers ideal for PK/PD app

Analysis 

The IVIS Spectrum CT Living Image software allows absolute quantification (photons/sec/cmsq/sr) of bioluminescence and fluorescence signal, for in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro studies.

The software supports autofluorescence removal, spectral unmixing, fluorophore quantitation, automatic ROI creation, background subtraction, and scaling.

The software is available at the IVIS Spectrum CT workstation.

New users

Please contact Dr Galit Saar, tel. 073-3785347 or Noga Kalish-Achrai to coordinate a meeting.

Reading materials before the first instruction session: Advanced Spectrum-CT Training and Living Image User manual.

The system is located at the Gutwirth Bldg., at the Technion main campus. The system can be reserved through the BookItLab online ordering system and the room (Lab 2) also needs to be reserved through the animal facility reservation system PCRA Booking.