Anna Bratasz, PhD
- Core Manager - Imaging Research Scientist
State-of-the-Art Animal Imaging Laboratory
The Small Animal Imaging Core (SAIC) at the Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute is a comprehensive small animal imaging facility available to investigators at The Ohio State University and other academic and commercial institutions. This facility includes high resolution imaging equipment (MRI, ultrasound, microCT and optical), X-ray irradiator, body composition analyzer, and personnel trained in the operation of each imaging modality and small animal handling procedures, as well as analytical software support for quantitative image analysis. In addition to providing interim animal housing for serial imaging studies, the SAIC also offers on-site suites for surgical procedures, and animal care provided by the University Laboratory Animal Resources. Image reconstruction, multi-modality fusion, quantitative image analysis, high resolution graphics and networking to the facility's server are also available.
Small Animal Imaging Core Manager
SAIC Information
| Service Description | Unit of Charge | User Operated OSU User |
User Operated Non-OSU User |
Core Assisted OSU User |
Core Assisted Non-OSU User |
Training OSU User |
Training Non-OSU User |
|
Bioluminescence and Fluorescence |
Hour | $90 | $142 | $156 | $246 | $120 | $189 |
| Ultrasound (Vevo F2 / Vevo 2100) |
Hour | $115 | $181 | $181 | $285 | $145 | $228 |
| echoMRI | Hour | $75 | $118 | $141 | $222 | $105 | $165 |
| 9.4T MRI | Hour | $250 | - | $300 | $470 | $280 | - |
| MRI Long Run | Each | - | - | $1,032 | - | - | - |
| MRI Intermediate Run | Each | - | - | $774 | - | - | - |
| MRI Short Run | Each | - | - | $645 | - | - | - |
| SARRP - Radiation Platform | Hour | $135 | $213 | $201 | $317 | $165 | $260 |
| SARRP - Cell Irradiation | Hour | $110 | $173 | $176 | $277 | - | - |
| microCT (SkyScan 1276) | Hour | $200 | $315 | $266 | $419 | $230 | $362 |
| microCT Long Scan | Each | - | - | $300 | - | - | - |
| microCT Short Scan | Each | - | - | $200 | - | - | - |
| FluoBeam | Hour | $30 | $47 | $99 | $156 | $60 | $95 |
| Image Reconstraction (microCT) | Each | - | - | $10 | $16 | - | - |
| Data Analysis | Hour | - | - | $102 | $161 | - | - |
| Software Development | Hour | - | - | $85 | $155 | - | - |
| Radsource X-ray Irradiator | Hour | $100 | $157 | $166 | $261 | $130 | $205 |
| Remote Workstation | Hour | $10 | $16 | - | - | - | - |
| Convenience Fee | Hour | $66 | $104 | $66 | $104 | $66 | $104 |
| Surcharge Fee | Hour | $120 | $189 | $120 | $189 | $120 | $189 |
| Supplies 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 |
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.
Vevo 2100 High-Frequency Ultrasound System
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
IVIS Lumina II
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
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
| Room |
Lab |
Description | ||
| 0020 BRT | microCT | SkyScan 1276 is a microCT system for mice and rat imaging, as well as bone density measurement | ||
| 0020A BRT |
Vevo |
The Vevo 2100 system is high frequency ultrasound system for in vivo applications. |
||
| 0084 BRT | 9.4T MRI | Horizontal bore magnet at 9.4T strength capable of taking measurements in animals including mice, rats and rabbits up to 3kg. | ||
| 0090B | IVIS | The IVIS Lumina II optical imaging system has sensitivity range between 300 and 900 nm for bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging. | ||
0090E BRT |
Prep-Room |
This room is designated for animal preparations and surgical procedures. |
||
EchoMRI |
EchoMRI is a Body Composition Analyzer (fat vs lean tissue). |
|||
| 190 TMRF |
microCT |
SkyScan 1276 is a microCT system for mice and rat imaging, as well as bone density measurement. |
||
- 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