Small Animal Imaging Core Lab

The Small Animal Imaging Core lab houses high-resolution small animal imaging instrumentation and offers assistance from experts in:

• Operating each imaging modality
• Small animal handling procedures
• Analytical software support for quantitative image analysis

The following micro-imaging equipment includes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), micro - Computed Tomography (microCT), high-frequency ultrasound (US), bio- and fluorescence imaging system (BLI&FL), and body composition analyzer (echoMRI). CT and therapeutic x-ray (SARRP) system is available for localized radiation.

All imaging instrumentation comes fully equipped with biological (ECG, respiration, temperature) monitoring equipment and isoflurane anesthesia systems. The instrumentation can be used for in vivo live animal imaging or ex vivo specimen investigations.

High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

The BioSpec 94/30USR Imaging System (Bruker BioSpin Co.) is a 9.4T horizontal bore magnet that operates at 400 MHz and runs ParaVision™ 6.0.1 software. This microMRI system is designed for high-resolution MR spectroscopy and imaging of in vivo or ex vivo specimens.

The 30 cm diameter bore and extra-long table offers imaging capabilities of 1H, 13C, 19F, 23Na, 31P on mice, rats, small rabbits and ex vivo specimens. The BioSpec also includes a BioTrig monitoring unit and in vivo cardiac gating (IntraGate).

MRI applications include:

• Skeletal and soft tissue abnormalities in embryonic and adult specimens
• DCE-MRI for tumor vascularization and permeability
• In vivo spectroscopy to measure metabolites (1H, 31P)
• Cardiac imaging for assessing cardiac function, ischemia and infarcts
• T1, T2, and Diffusion maps
• Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Computed Tomography (microCT)

The SkyScan 1276 (Bruker BioSpin Co.) is a high performance, stand-alone, fast, desk-top in vivo microCT with continuously variable magnification for scanning small laboratory animals (mice and rats) and biological samples. It has an unrivalled combination of high resolution (2.8µm), big image size as well as software allowing to acquire data with breathing and ECG gating. It is capable of reconstructing 3D high resolution images throughout the animal body that can be used for quantitative morphometric measurements.

The software also allows to perform quantitative bone density measurement.

The SkyScan system can be used for:

• Whole body mouse imaging
• Lung imaging in mice and rats (e.g. tumor monitoring)
• Bone imaging and bone density measurements
• Cardiovascular imaging
• Vascularization imaging e.g. brain, tumors, ischemic tissue
• Post-contrast imaging for miscellaneous applications

CT and Therapeutic X-ray (SARRP)

The CT and X-ray therapeutic system - SARRP (Xstrahl Inc.) delivers clinically relevant radiation protocols under preclinical conditions. The SARRP system can deliver radiation dose locally with open field vary from 0.5 small focal spot to 10*10 mm window or any window up to 40*80 mm.

The SARRP system can be used:

• For local tumor treatment with minimalized dose to whole body or individual organs
• To sensitize lesion to different treatment
• Total Body Irradiation (TBI) for e.g. bone marrow or autologous stem cell transplantation
• To study skin wound, etc.

The Vevo 2100 High-Frequency Ultrasound System (FujiFilm Co.) is capable of 2D and 3D in vivo imaging in small animals, has a 30-micron spatial resolution and frame rates of up to 1000 fps. The system includes an 18, 24, 38 and 55 MHz transducer, needle-guided injection apparatus and is capable of color, pulsed wave and power Doppler, 3D imaging and advanced image analysis.

The Vevo system can be used for:

• Image-guided injections
• Evaluating developmental biology – mouse and rat embryos
• Calculating tumor size and blood flow
• Quantitative evaluation of cardiac physiological function and development
• Power and Color Doppler modes for blood flow quantification
• Contrast imaging e.g. for tissue or tumor blood perfusion

Optical imaging system IVIS Lumina II (PerkinElmer Inc.) with bioluminescence (BLI) and fluorescence capability (FL). The IVIS system is equipped with four major emission filters (GFP, DsRed, Cy5.5, ICG) and 10 excitation filters in a range of 415-760 (30 nm bandwidth each).

Optical imaging application includes:

• Tumor progression using transfected cells (BLI)
• Tumor response to therapeutic intervention (BLI)
• Development of immunological response (BLI or FL)
• Angiogenesis monitoring (FL)

EchoMRI analyzer (EchoMRI LLC.) delivers precise body composition measurements of fat, lean, free water and total water masses in live animals. Scanning takes 0.5 – 3.2 minutes. The live animals need no anesthesia and no special preparation before measurement.

EchoMRi system can be used in cancer, cardiac, toxicology, diabetic and nutritional studies.

Gammacell® 40 Exactor Low Dose-Rate Research Irradiator With 2 Caesium-137 Sources

Unit is ready for immediate cell experiment applications with central dose rate ~1.1 Gy/min and dose uniformity of ± 7% over a 260 mm (10.14 in.) diameter and a 100mm (3.9 in.) height. 

The Gammacell system can be used for: 

• Cell irradiation to induce apoptosis, study radiation effects, induce gene mutations, etc. 
• Total Body Irradiation (TBI) for bone marrow or autologous stem cell transplantation

Note for users: Please parafilm each dish and use your own properly sized secondary containment. Pie cages are not provided. 

RS-2000 Biological Irradiator for Small Animals and Cells

Cell or small-animal irradiation with dose rate ~1.2 Gy/min (animal), 5-10 Gy/min (cells). Patented RAD+ technology allows for a dose uniformity of 94%. Allows to irradiate multiple enclosures during one cycle. 

The irradiator can be used for: 

• Cell irradiation
• Total Body Irradiation (TBI) or partial body irradiation

Service Description	Unit of Charge	OSU Users	Non-OSU Users
Bioluminescence and Fluorescence (IVIS Lumina II) - User Operated	Hour	$76	$146
Bioluminescence and Fluorescence (IVIS Lumina II) - Core Assisted	Hour	$131	$201
Bioluminescence and Fluorescence (IVIS Lumina II) - Training	Hour	$90	$201
Ultrasound (Vevo F2) - User Operated	Hour	$97	$167
Ultrasound (Vevo F2) - Core Assisted	Hour	$152	$222
Utrasound (Vevo F2) - Training	Hour	$120	$190
echoMRI - User Operated	Hour	$63	$133
echoMRI - Core Operated	Hour	$118	$188
echoMRI - Training	Hour	$90	$160
9.4T MRI - User Operated	Hour	$233	N/A
9.4 T MRI - Core Assisted	Hour	$258	$328
MRI Long Run	Each	$1,032	N/A
MRI Intermediate Run	Each	$774	N/A
MRI Short Run	Each	$645	N/A
SARRP - Radiation Platform, User Operated	Hour	$88	$158
SARRP - Radiation Platform, Core Operated	Hour	$143	$213
SARRP - Radiation Platform - Training	Hour	$110	$180
SARRP - Cell Irradiation, User Operated	Hour	$75	$145
SARRP - Cell Irradiation, Core Operated	Hour	$130	$200
microCT (SkyScan 1276) - User Operated	Hour	$125	$195
microCT (SkyScan 1276) - Core Operated	Hour	$180	$250
microCT (SkyScan 1276) - Training	Hour	$155	$225
microCT Long Scan	Each	$188	N/A
microCT Short Scan	Each	$138	N/A
Data Analysis	Hour	$65	$135
Software Development	Hour	$85	$155
Gammacell Irradiator	Hour	$75	N/A
Gammacell Irradiator – Core Operated	Hour	$130	$200
Gammacell Irradiator - Training	Hour	$90	NA
Radsource X-ray Irradiator	Hour	$75	$145
Radsource X-ray Irradiator – Core Operated	Hour	$130	$200
Radsource X-ray Irradiator - Training	Hour	$90	$160
Remote Workstation	Hour	$5	$75
Convenience fee	Hour	$55	$125
Surcharge fee	Hour	$100	$170

 

Supplies - Service Description	Unit of Charge	OSU Users	Non-OSU Users
Data key replacement	Each	Market Price	Market Price
Contrast agent	Vial	Market Price	Market Price
Special Supplies	Each	Market Price	Market Price

 

**Prices effective 10/01/23

SAI Core Director

Kimerly A. Powell, PhD, is an assistant professor of biomedical informatics. With more than 15 years of experience in developing image post-processing techniques for quantitative image analysis of microscopy, pre-clinical and clinical images, Dr. Powell also focuses on developing image post-processing techniques for quantitative image analysis of cancer, cardiac and musculoskeletal applications. She is particularly interested in developing novel image post-processing techniques for high-resolution microscopy and small animal in vivo micro-imaging technologies.
Office: 204 Biomedical Research Tower
Phone: 614-292-7271
E-mail: Kimerly.Powell@osumc.edu

Imaging Research Scientist

Anna Bratasz, PhD, is an imaging research scientist for the SAIC. She has spent several years working in the Center for Biomedical EPR Spectroscopy and Imaging at OSU. Past ten years she is working in the SAIC where she focuses on in vivo MRI, CT, US and optical imaging of small animals. Dr. Bratasz’s particular interests are neuroscience, cancer and cardiac research. She collaborates with multiple investigators at OSU and NCH implementing micro-imaging in their projects.
Office: 206 Biomedical Research Tower
Phone: 614-688-8068
E-mail: Anna.Bratasz@osumc.edu

Laboratory Service Coordinator 

Michelle Williams, BS, is the laboratory services coordinator for the SAIC. She has over nine years of imaging experience in microCT, nuclear and optical imaging. Her specialties includes injections, radiation safety and imaging using multimodality platforms such as PET\CT, FLI and BLI. She also has experience in developing refined contrast protocols for tumor perfusion studies on ultrasound and CT. She is the primary support personnel micro-CT imaging and for radiation oncology studies using the SARRP.
Office: 206 Biomedical Research Tower
Phone: 614-293-8954
E-mail: Michelle.Williams@osumc.edu

 

Rachel Rosenzweig, BS is a Research Associate with the Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute. She assists SAIC personnel with imaging studies and facility maintenance. She also assists user with fulfilling requirements for facility access and scheduling. 
Office: 206 Biomedical Research Tower
Phone: 614-688-8068
Email: Rachel. Rosenzweig@osumc.edu 

 

• Provide high quality micro-imaging data to investigators in an efficient and cost effective manner
• Provide accurate qualitative image interpretation and quantitative image data analysis
• Develop and implement novel micro-imaging protocols for cardiac, cancer and neuroscience research applications
• Educate and train investigators on available micro-imaging technologies that will enhance their research programs
• Identify new and emerging micro-imaging technologies that will benefit investigators

Bruker Preclinical MRI

Bruker MicroCT

VisualSonics

PerkinElmer

Xstrahl (SARRP)

echoMRI

Shared Resources and Cores at CCC

ULAR

EHS (Environmental Health and Safety)

PubMed