SHARED RESOURCES - In Vivo Imaging

Overview:

The IVISR provides optical, CT, ultrasound, Hi Res planar gamma imaging, and PET of rodents, as well as high-resolution digital autoradiography and fluorescent imaging of thin whole body rodents sections. Support and expertise includes optical imaging, animal support, image computation, MR & optical hardware and software, diagnostic agent chemistry, radiochemistry including cyclotron, analytical chemistry and kinetic modeling.

High-resolution optical imaging complements MR and PET imaging by increasing image quantitation and kinetic modeling. High- resolution ultrasound imaging permits quantitation of tumor size, as well as, measurement of left ventricular volume for recovery correction of MR and PET sampled input functions. Most importantly it permits the use of in situ tumor models. A key contribution of ultrasound to cancer research in mice is the ability to image in sterile fashion and to do so without the need for anesthesia. This permits frequent monitoring of tumor growth or regression following interventions.

A research service of the NCI-designated Moores UCSD Cancer Center: http://cancer.ucsd.edu