In Vivo Imaging Core Facility

Biophotonic Imaging Services

The IVIS Spectrum, new in 2015, is comprised of a sensitive CCD camera, a dark imaging chamber to minimize incident light, and specialized software to quantify and analyze results. The system features high-sensitivity in vivo imaging of fluorescence and bioluminescence, high throughput (5 mice) with 23 cm field of view, high resolution (to 20 microns) with 3.9 cm field of view, twenty eight high efficiency filters spanning 430 – 850 nm. An optical switch in the fluorescence illumination path allows reflection-mode or transmission-mode illumination. The system uses 3D diffuse tomographic reconstruction for both fluorescence and bioluminescence and has the ability to import and automatically co-register CT or MRI images yielding a functional and anatomical context for your scientific data. Read more.

Core Use

We follow a strict SOP that has been drafted with comparative medicine to ensure the machine is properly maintained to IACUC standards of shared equipment. All personnel needing to use the machine are trained by Dr. Lewis' staff.  Once people have completed the training, their ID badges will be activated to the room.  Trained personnel may reserve instrument time using the RSS Core Scheduler.

Fees

Instrument use is billed at $20/hour.  Users are required to provide their own nose cones (for mice or rates), isoflurane and black construction paper to be used in the IVIS.  (a materials sheet and ordering information is provided during instrument training.)

Please contact the facility manager for assistance with grant proposal budgets and service estimates.  Download a facilities statement here for use in proposals.