Equipment and Services
Services and Imaging Modalities
Computerised Tomography (CT)
The PIVI facility is equipped with a high performance and resolution in vivo micro-CT system.
The SkyScan 1176 scanner provides an ideal anatomical imaging modality for non-invasive visualisation of lung, fat and bone, without the need for CT contrast agents. With its extra-large imaging bore and long axial field of view, the 1176 model offers excellent flexibility to image a wide range of subjects.
In material sciences, the 1176 system has provided engineering groups with a non-destructive method to investigate shape, porosity, density and other characteristics
Animal monitoring
The physiological monitoring sub-system includes video monitoring of an animal with real-time movement detection, ECG and breathing detection, and temperature stabilization.
VARIAN 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging
The Varian 7 Tesla (T) is based in our Preclinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Facility, located at the Health Innovation Neighbourhood. It has a 31cm horizontal bore system, with a Varian Direct Drive console and 4 receiver channels.
One of the main advantages of MRI is its capability of producing highly detailed images of soft tissues. MRI is an extremely versatile imaging modality that can be utilised to collect dynamic, functional and metabolic information in vivo.
MRI techniques
The 7T MRI scanner offers a broad range of imaging and spectroscopy techniques including:
- dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI)
- cardiac imaging
- magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)
- diffusion and perfusion MRI
- functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
- MR angiography (MRA)
- anatomic imaging (T1/T2/Proton-Density weighted imaging)
- blood flow and blood oxygen measurements (BOLD EPI methods)
The 7T MRI is equipped with a range of specialised coils for pre-clinical imaging including:
- 72mm, 39mm and 30mm i.d. quadrature birdcage coils for whole body imaging
- dedicated brain imaging coil
- 31P surface coil
- 19F surface coil
- 13C surface coil
Potential applications of MRI
- Oncology
- Tumour growth
- Response to treatment
- Cell tracking
- Development of MRI contrast agents
- Neuroscience and neurodegenerative disorders
- Pharmaceuticals
- Drug discovery
- Pharmokinetics (PK)
- Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME)
- Infectious and inflamatory diseases
- Cardiology
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Metabolic studies
Animal monitoring
The MRI is completed with a small animal (SA) instrument which allows image gating.
Additionally, the system can simultaneously monitor and record ECG, respiration and blood pressure. Animals are heated by air with a heater system. Temperature is monitored using a fibre-optic thermometry system.
In Vivo Imaging System (IVIS)
Funded by the Wellcome Trust, this 3D optical imaging system allows non-invasive and real-time longitudinal monitoring of disease progression, cell trafficking, and gene expression patterns. The system is capable of both luminescence and fluorescence modes of imaging.
Real-time in vivo imaging
The IVIS can image bioluminescence and fluorescence in up to 5 mice during a single scanning session. Images can be used to generate high quality 3D quantitative representations of bioluminescence and fluorescence (400–840 nm) in vivo and in real time.
The IVIS software allows for easy switching between fluorescence and bioluminescence modes and facilitates in vivo spectral unmixing of fluorescent probes.
The system also incorporates a topographic laser scanner, and can yield for single-view, diffuse tomographic reconstructions of internal sources.
IVIS techniques
- Bioluminescent
- Spectral un-mixing
- Fluorescence, including epi-illumination and trans-illumination
- 3D diffuse tomographic, including Fluorescent Imaging Tomography (FLIT) and Diffuse Luminescence Imaging Tomography (DLIT)
Potential applications of IVIS
- Functional genomics
- Expression profiles and regulation study
- Protein–protein interaction
- Apoptosis study
- Oncology
- Tumour growth and metastasis
- Tumour related gene study
- Infectious disease
- Infectious pathway
- Molecular study
- Stem cell research
- Tracking and functional analysis
- Phamaceuticals
- Drug discovery (high throughput)
- Pharmacokinetics (PK)
- Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME)
- Toxicology research
- Pharmaceutical toxicology
- Chemical toxicology
- Gene delivery and therapy
- Expression kinetics and localisation
Animal monitoring
IVIS is equipped with an Isoflurane anaesthesia system providing accurate flows of 0.5 and 1.0 L/min of gas (O2).
IVIS stage temperature can be monitored where the subjects are placed.
Shear Wave Elastography (SWE)
The PIVI facility benefits from a clinical grade Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) system.
SWE is a medical imaging technique used in ultrasound to assess the stiffness or elasticity of tissues. This non-invasive method provides valuable information about tissue characteristics and is particularly useful in the evaluation of liver fibrosis and other soft tissue abnormalities.
- Shear Wave Elastography (SWE)
- Tissue elasticity
- Doppler / Colour imaging
- Fluid motion – velocity & direction
- 2D B-mode anatomical imaging
- Structural measurement
Services
Using our cutting-edge equipment, we are able to provide a full service for our customers, including:
- Advice on experimental planning
- Image acquisition
- Data analysis
Thanks to the team at the Newcastle Preclinical In Vivo Imaging Facility we can now add microCT to our repertoire of tools for post-mortem forensic investigation. The images that this technique produce can provide easily understood documentation of important findings that can be used to help us assist the police with their enquiries.
Tracy Sorkin & Nigel Cooper, NHS Forensic Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Training and Equipment Access
We are keen for individuals to access much of our equipment themselves, and can provide the training necessary to gain the required levels of competence and confidence for this to happen. The level of training required varies between each imaging modality and the type of work being performed.
A general introduction to the facility and its equipment is also provided to anyone requiring access, and covers all relevant safety and access procedures.
Equipment availability and booking can be accessed using our online booking calendar.