Imaging system for live 3D tissue engineered constructs

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We are requesting an optical deep tissue*imaging system to image human-scale tissue engineered constructs. The proposed imaging module consists of a fluorescence*molecular tomography system enabling 3D near infrared (NIR) fluorescence*imaging of cm-scale live tissue. This technology will allow us to monitor cell*health and function in cm-scale tissues containing living cells. We and others*at McGill are currently engineering tissues of mm to cm thickness via techniques*such as live cell 3D printing (bioprinting). At this scale, most tissues must be vascularized to*avoid oxygen deprivation and hypoxic cell death. The proposed tissue imaging*system will allow us to monitor tissue health and performance through optical probes such as dyes that sense or respond to metabolic activity or local oxygen tension. Moreover, cell lines expressing NIR fluorescent reporter proteins will be used to monitor cell number, viability and function. The system will be equipped with an infusion*pump, gas flow controllers and a temperature control system to enable real-time*monitoring of perfused living tissues. By controlling the gas mixture, the culture medium perfusion rate*and the temperature, we will be able to assess the effects of these parameters on oxgen profiles and tissue performance. The combination of this system with our existing microfabrication, tissue engineering and bioprinting capabilities will create a complete tissue construct fabrication and monitoring platform. The system will be very similar to*instruments used for small animal imaging, but will be designed specifically to image tissue engineered constructs. The system will*complement microscopy-based systems that enable higher-resolution lower*penetration optical imaging, as well as medical imaging modalities (e.g. X-ray,*ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear imaging techniques)*available at McGill. Trainees from our laboratories (over 50 trainees), from the laboratories of collaborators, from other researchers at McGill as well as provincial (ThéCell, Québec Center for Advanced Materials, PROTEO) and Canadian research networks (Canadian Biomaterials Society, Stem Cell Network) will have access to this shared facility.**