Small Animal Imaging Core

肌肉骨骼领域的研究人员越来越多地使用人类疾病的动物模型， 尤其是组织损伤和修复的问题。在动物模型中，一个被认为在 可以管理疾病过程，并随着时间的推移评估和监控响应。多种化验方法 要求牺牲动物以提取组织进行分析；然而，在这些纵向研究中 特定动物的变化可以在体内进行评估，随着时间的推移往往是有利的。虽然两者都是 大小动物疾病模型目前存在，并正在为各种人类开发 由于许多原因，人们越来越倾向于使用小动物(如小鼠、大鼠)来应对疾病： 1)转基因和基因敲除动物的可用性；2)容易获得大量密切相关的 配对动物；以及3)动物成本、处理、住房和其他实际管理问题。更多 重要的是，大鼠和小鼠的基因组序列都已被破译，从而产生了 各种各样的分子工具。 宾夕法尼亚大学拥有世界上最全面的小动物成像设施之一 这个世界是由各种成像模式的一些领先科学家组成的。 这个小动物影像核心的总体目标是开发和利用广泛的 针对肌肉骨骼组织损伤和修复问题的成像方式。具体目标 目标1：就各种方案的能力、优点和缺点提供指导和专业知识 通过正式的教育强化计划和One On-On-One-On-One-On-On-One-On-One-On-On-One-On-On- 一个互动；目标2：在小动物成像研究方面提供设施和专家协作 采用MRS/MRI、光学成像、生物发光、PET/SPECT、微型CT和/或超声；目标3：至 在包括化学(用于制备核磁共振)在内的辅助设施方面提供设施和专家协作 光学探针)、放射化学、分子生物学、图像分析、动物模型和生物统计学； 目标4：为新项目和协作的开发提供资金，并制定初步的 和/或为调查人员提供可行性数据。 这些目标的成功实现将极大地改善环境和提高 宾夕法尼亚大学的研究人员，导致了新颖和创新的方法来解决 肌肉骨骼疾病与核心教职员工之间的新合作 将小动物成像纳入他们的肌肉骨骼研究计划。

Researchers in the musculoskeletal field are increasingly using animal models of human disease, particularly those of tissue injury and repair. In an animal model, a factor believed to be important in the disease process can be administered and the response evaluated and monitored over time. Many assays require sacrifice of the animal in order to extract tissue for analysis; however, longitudinal studies in which changes in a particular animal can be evaluated in vivo and over time are often advantageous. Although both large and small animal disease models currently exist and are readily being developed for various human diseases, the use of small animals (e.g., mouse, rat) has become increasingly preferred for many reasons: 1) the availability of transgenic and knockout animals; 2) the ease of procuring large numbers of closely matched animals; and 3) animal cost, handling, housing, and other practical management issues. More importantly, the genome sequences of both the rat and the mouse have been deciphered, giving rise to a wide variety of molecular tools. The University of Pennsylvania has one of the most comprehensive small animal imaging facilities in the world that is staffed by some of the leading scientists in the various imaging modalities. The overall objective of this Small Animal Imaging Core is to develop and utilize a wide range of imaging modalities directed toward problems of musculoskeletal tissue injury and repair. The Specific Aims are: Aim 1: To provide guidance and expertise on the capabilities, advantages, and disadvantages of various imaging modalities for musculoskeletal research through formal educational enrichment programs and oneon- one interactions; Aim 2: To provide facilities and expert collaboration in Small Animal Imaging studies employing MRS/MRI, optical imaging, bioluminescence, PET/SPECT, micro-CT and/or ultrasound; Aim 3: To provide facilities and expert collaboration in Ancillary Facilities including chemistry (for preparation of NMR and optical probes), radiochemistry, molecular biology, image analysis, animal models, and biostatistics; and Aim 4: To provide funding for development of new projects and collaborations, and to develop preliminary and/or feasibility data for investigators. Successful completion of these aims will significantly enhance the environment and the capabilities of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, leading to novel and innovative approaches to address musculoskeletal disorders and new collaborations between Core faculty who may have not previously included small animal imaging in their musculoskeletal research programs.