Preclinical Imaging Core (PIC)

College of Medicine Research Core Facilities

The UC College of Medicine houses several research core facilities designated as core service centers. These facilities exist within multiple departments but are collectively supported by the College of Medicine Office of Research through the Associate Dean for Research Core Facilities: Ken Greis, PhD. (ken.greis@uc.edu; Tel: 513-558-7102).

The service center designation signifies the rates charged by each of these facilities have been reviewed and approved by the UC Government Cost Compliance Office; thus, the service fees can be charged to federal grants and contracts. Details related to the services offered and the internal rates for each of the cores are provided below. Since these rates are substantially subsidized by the University, external investigators should contact individual core directors to get a rate quote.

Resources to offset some of the cost of the core services may be available through a variety of centers and institutes across UC depending on an investigator’s affiliation. Information for support from the CCTST is provided here:

Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training (CCTST) Just-in-Time Core Support

UC invesitgators also hvae full access to shared resource cores at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Details are provided here:

Shared Facilities | Cincinnati Children's (cincinnatichildrens.org)

We have recently transitioned our core facilities booking and management to the PPMS system from Stratocore. To book and access services from the core facilities, please log in or create an account in Stratocore via:

My PPMS Dashboard

Stratocore Account Creation Guides:

New UC PI Account Creation

New UC User Account Creation

New External User Account Creation

Preclinical Imaging Core (PIC)

The Core was established to provide non-invasive multimodal imaging capabilities optimized for rodent imaging to the UC research community. The facility specializes in micro-CT and micro-PET/SPECT and MRI for longitudinal research projects in small animal models, but also provides bioluminescence, fluorescence and planar x-ray imaging capabilites. A XenX cabinet irradiator is available for cell, focal, and whole-rodent irradiation. All imaging and irradiation systems have integrated isoflurane anesthesia delivery and scavenging units. The Core actively supports research in cancer and other progressive diseases, and a variety of surgical and bioengineering projects. The PIC is staffed with personnel with extensive experience in imaging technology to assist in the design, execution, and interpretation of the data. With locations within and directly adjacent to the university vivarium and with standard IUCAC protocols in place for the PIC’s scan modalities, access to the services is readily available to the research community

To access services from the PIC, please login or create an account in Stratocore at https://ppms.us/uc/start/.

Location and Hours:
Vontz Center Rm 0330 (basement- restricted access - call lab 558-7930)
M-F 8:30am-5pm; or as arranged

Announcement Jan 2023
The Bruker 9.4T small animal MRI in MSB 4106 is now being managed through the PIC. It is a vertical bore spectrometer with a gradient insert for imaging, The system is currently optimized for mouse brain imaging. Please contact the lab for further information.

Announcement Jan 2019
A XenX closed cabinet x-ray irradiator with a rotational gantry, designed for irradiation of cells and rodents is now available. The system provides whole-body and focal irradiation treatments. Please contact the lab or Michael Lamba (584-9028, michael.lamba@uc.edu) for further information.

Announcement Sept 2018
Bioluminescence and Fluorescence imaging services are available to PIs within the UC-COM LAMS mouse facilities – mice housed in the LAMS Vontz and MSB facilities remain behind the barrier for their imaging sessions and are returned to their original rooms. Please contact the lab for further information.

Acknowledgement

Please notify the facility of assisted publications and grants. Acknowledgement of our services helps to ensure the continuation of the imaging core's resources.

Grant Information

A general NIH description of facilities and equipment for this core may be accessed with this link - PIC NIH Summary May 2024; however, it is highly recommended that you discuss your specific core needs with the core director or manager while preparing the grant application since they can likely provide tailored information regarding their capabilities to enhance your application.

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Services/Internal Fees

Service	Cost
PET/CT/SPECT imaging	$225 per hour
Optical imaging (BLI, FLR) and x-ray	$125 per hour (Vontz); $135 per hour (MSB)
Irradiations	$75 per hour + therapy physics support
Investigator self processing	$25 per hour
MR Imaging	$100/hr (instrument & personnel)
Image and Data post-processing	$75 per hour
Radiopharmaceuticals and specialized contrast agents	PASS-THROUGH CHARGE

Sample Data

micro-CT ex-vivo embryo

rat embryo soaked in Lugol's

Rat PET CT

F-18 FDG PET-CT for monitoring glioma treatment response. 10 mins PET acquisition at 30 mins post injection, following CT scan

micro-CT in-vivo gated lung scan

Respiratory-gated CT for Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) Mouse under isoflurane.

X ray

Bone Densitometry

Bioluminescence (BLI) imaging

Tumor imaging (breast cancer model) 20min acquisition following IP luciferin injection

Fluorescence (FLR) imaging

Tumor imaging using antibody with Alexa-647 fluorescent label. 30sec acquisition at 24hr after FLR injection.

Irradiation of cell plates

Focal Irradiation - example set-up

Cu-64 PET-CT

novel Cu-64 label for targeted PET imaging of bacteria in mice

Cu-64 PET-CT data

evaluation of novel radiopharmaceutical delivery in mice

T2W MRI imaging

T2W MRI in microglia ablation mouse models

Fluorescence (FLR) tumor imaging

in-vivo and ex-vivo imaging after injection of Cy5.5 FLR labeled nanoparticle.

micro-CT in gerbils

in-vivo and ex-vivo imaging of cholesteatoma in gerbils

Equipment

Inveon PET/SPECT/CT

Tri-modal micro-imaging system with LSO-based positron emission tomography (micro-PET), dual-head single photon emission computed tomography (micro-SPECT), and cone-beam computerized tomography (micro-CT) sub-systems.

Bore size = 12 cm; max FOV = 10 cm.
Integrated Biovet monitoring system: respiratory, EKG, temperature control; heating pad on pallet
30 – 80 kVp CT with 50 to 500 uA
CT resolutions from 17 to 54 um for objects 1.5 to 5 cm diameter
3D PET acquisition with full range of standard and iterative reconstruction methods
Multi and single pinhole collimators for SPECT imaging
Analysis software with volume-of-interest tools and 3D visualization

Siemens

Bruker multi-spectral FX PRO

Bioluminescence, fluorescence, x-ray, and optical imaging in small animals. Located in the Vontz LAMS facility.

20 - 200 mm FOV (images up to 4 mice simultaneously)
warm-air chamber with isoflurane anesthesia manifolds
175W Xenon illumination source
-29oC cooled CCD camera
20 excitation filters: 390nm to 770nm in 20nm steps
6 exchangeable emission filters: 535nm, 600 nm, 700nm, 750nm, 790nm, 830nm
exposure modes: single capture, multiple capture, progressive exposure, time-lapse exposure
co-registration (overlays) of BLI or FLR with optical or x-ray imaging
12 – 35 kVp xray with 0.8, 0.4, 0.2 and 0.1mm beryllium filters
Quantitative bone density software for analysis of mouse femurs

Bruker

Xen-X Irradiator

Closed cabinet x-ray irradiator with a rotational gantry, designed for irradiation of cells and rodents. Provides both whole-body irradiation for myelosuppression, and focal irradiation similar to current clinical radiotherapy approaches. A portal imaging camera provides verification of the beam localization.

(https://xstrahl.com/life-science-systems/xenx/)
50 – 220 kV x-rays
Mounted on isocentric arm with 35 cm source-to-isocenter distance
3 mm round to 10 cm x 10 cm fields at standard distance, larger at extended distances
Full set of wide-field and fixed diameter collimators
Variable collimator attachment
Point dose calculator
0.69 mm Cu HVL treatment x-rays
Whole-body irradiation pies available through LAMS

X-Strahl

Perkin-Elmer IVIS Spectrum

Bioluminescence, fluorescence, and optical imaging in mice.
Located in the MSB LAMS facility.

40 - 260 mm FOV (images up to 5 mice simultaneously)
Heated stage with isoflurane anesthesia manifolds
150W Halogen illumination source
10 excitation filters: 415 nm to 760 nm, 30 nm steps
18 emission filters: 490 nm to 850 nm, in 20 nm steps
-90oC cooled CCD camera
exposure modes: auto and manual timing; single and multiple capture
co-registration (overlays) of BLI or FLR with optical imaging
.Living Image software for analysis

Perkin-Elmer

Bruker 9.4T MRI

The vertical bore 9.4T spectrometer is equipped with a high performance gradient insert and a microimaging probehead. System capabilities include high-resolution structural imaging (e.g. T1, T2, T2*, FLAIR) and wide-ranging specialist imaging techniques (T2 mapping, diffusion tensor, perfusion, magnetization transfer and angiographic imaging) for mouse models.

vertical wide-bore spectrometer
89mm bore size for spectroscopy samples
36mm 1H volume coil (34 mm max imaging FOV)
Mini0.75 gradient set (0.75 gauss/cm/A) with 60 amp gradient current amplifiers
Paravision 5.1 software interface for MR imaging of mice. Includes DTI and SWI modules.
Integrated Small Animal Instruments, Inc (SAII) monitoring system: respiratory, EKG, and temperature; warm-air blown through probe
Gated acquisitions from ECG or respiratory triggers

Bruker

FAQs

What is the lab phone number?

513 558 7930

How do I arrange to transfer my animals for imaging?

All live animal imaging is conducted under the Core's IACUC protocol, Lemen #21-11-04-01.
A "Temporary Protocol Transfer" must be submitted through UC LAMS.
Please contact the lab for details and assistance.

How do I schedule imaging time?

Please call the lab - 558-7930 - for available times and to plan for longitudinal imaging timepoints.

Which animals may be imaged in the lab?

All core equipment is optimized for imaging rodents - mice and rats.
The core is a Specific Pathogen Free facility. Animals within UC facilities may be imaged or irradiated here. For transfers from outside facilites, please contact the lab to confirm if they will be accepted.

Publications

Please notify the facility of assisted publications and grants. Acknowledgement of our services helps to ensure the continuation of the imaging core services.

Ravi N. Samy; Brian R. Earl; Noga Lipschitz; Ivy Schweinzger; Mark Currier; Timothy Cripe, "Engineered Oncolytic Virus for the Treatment of Cholesteatoma: A Pilot in vivo Study" Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, 4: October 2019: 532-542

Sumit Murab, Stacey M.S. Gruber, Chia-Ying James Lin, Patrick Whitlock, "Elucidation of bio-inspired hydroxyapatie crystallization on oxygen-plasma modified 3D printed poly-caprolactone scaffolds", Materials Science & Engineering C 109 (2020) 110529

Adeola Adeyemo, Christopher Johnson, Andrew Stiene, Kathleen LaSance, Zhihua Qi, Lisa Lemen & Jo El J. Schultz (2020) Limb functional recovery is impaired in fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) deficient mice despite chronic ischaemia-induced vascular growth, Growth Factors, 38:2, 75-93, DOI: 10.1080/08977194.2020.1767612

Nabil A. Siddiqui, Hailey A. Houson, Nitin S. Kamble, Jose R. Blanco, Robert E. O’Donnell, Daniel J. Hassett, Suzanne E. Lapi, and Nalinikanth Kotagiri, "Leveraging copper import by yersiniabactin siderophore system for targeted PET imaging of bacteria", JCI Insight. 2021;6(10):e144880. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.144880.

Nimita Dave, Lionel M.L. Chow, Gary A. Gudelsky, Kathleen LaSance, Xiaoyang Qi, and Pankaj B. Desai, “Preclinical Pharmacological Evaluation of Letrozole as a Novel Treatment for Gliomas”, Mol Cancer Ther. 2015 April; 14(4): 857–864. doi:10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-14-0743. PMID: 25695958

Amanda K. Powers, Daniel J. Berning, Joshua B. Gross,, Parallel evolution of regressive and constructive craniofacial traits across distinct populations of Astyanax mexicanus cavefish . J Exp Zool B Mol Dev Evol. 2020 November ; 334(7-8): 450–462.

JOSHUA B. GROSS* and AMANDA K. POWERS. “A Natural Animal Model System of Craniofacial Anomalies: The Blind Mexican Cavefish” Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2020 Jan; 303(1): 24–29.

Kamble Nitin, Kotagiri Nalini, Madaan Tushar, Sertorio Mathieu, Siddiqui Nabil, Thomas Shindu, Ventrola Alec. “An Engineered Probiotic Platform for Cancer Epitope-Independent Targeted Radionuclide Therapy of Solid Tumors. “ Advanced healthcare materials, 2023/03

Emily Igel, April Haller, Patrick R. Wolfkiel, Melissa Orr-Asman, Anja Jaeschke, and David Y. Hui. “Distinct pro-inflammatory properties of myeloid cell–derived apolipoprotein E2 and E4 in atherosclerosis promotion” . J. Biol. Chem. (2021) 297(3) 101106

Christina A. Wicker, Brian G. Hunt, Sunil Krishnan , Kathryn Aziz, Shobha Parajuli, Sarah Palackdharry, William R. Elaban, Trisha M. Wise-Draper, Gordon B. Mills, Susan E. Waltz, Vinita Takiar. “Glutaminase inhibition with telaglenastat (CB-839) improves treatment response in combination with ionizing radiation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma models.” Cancer Lett. 2021 April 01; 502: 180–188

Alicia Bedolla, Aleksandr Taranov, Fucheng Luo, Jiapeng Wang, Flavia Turcato, Elizabeth M. Fugate, Nigel H. Greig, Diana M. Lindquist, Steven A. Crone, June Goto and Yu Luo. “Diphtheria toxin induced but not CSF1R inhibitor mediated microglia ablation model leads to the loss of CSF/ventricular spaces in vivo that is independent of cytokine upregulation. Journal of Neuroinflammation (2022) 19:3

Zilan Zhou, Carly Kennell, Mina Jafari, Joo-Youp Lee, Sasha J. Ruiz-Torres, Susan E. Waltz, and Jing-Huei Lee. “Sequential Delivery of Erlotinib and Doxorubicin for Enhanced Triple Negative Breast Cancer Treatment Using Polymeric Nanoparticle”. Int J Pharm. 2017 September 15; 530(1-2): 300–307

Zilan Zhou, Mina Jafari, Vishnu Sriram, Jinsoo Kim, Joo-Youp Lee , Sasha J. Ruiz-Torres, and Susan E. Waltz. “Delayed Sequential Co-Delivery of Gefitinib and Doxorubicin for Targeted Combination Chemotherapy”. Mol Pharm. 2017 December 04; 14(12): 4551–4559