Xenogen IVIS Spectrum Imaging System

描述（由申请人提供）：这是一个共享仪器的建议，以获得IVIS（R）光谱成像系统，由Xenogen公司制造，最近被Caliper Life Sciences收购。IVIS Spectrum是一种多模式生物发光和荧光成像系统，专为小动物细胞和组织的非侵入性成像而设计。生物发光和荧光成像现在被广泛接受为一种有价值的研究工具，用于研究小动物的广泛生物过程，包括肿瘤生长，癌症转移，细菌感染，免疫反应和炎症，以及组织特异性基因表达的调节。虽然托莱多大学健康科学中心有一批国家认可的NIH资助的研究人员在这些领域工作，但该大学目前还没有设计用于活体动物的成像系统。因此，调查人员不得不寻求可能费用更高或效率更低的替代办法。通过满足对小动物荧光和生物发光成像技术的迫切需求，Xenogen IVIS Spectrum系统的收购将大大促进由主要用户指导的七个NIH赞助的R 01项目的进展。此外，小用户和新用户也可以使用这一共用设备，因为他们有积极的赠款支持或正在为新的赠款申请开发初步数据。该设备将位于实验动物医学部，以促进转基因和免疫功能低下小鼠模型的研究。仪器的日常安排、培训和技术支持将在高级显微镜和成像中心的主持下进行，并由PI和内部咨询委员会进行行政监督。该仪器的机构支持将以成像实验室空间分配和年度服务合同50%补贴的形式提供。正在进行的项目将受益于Xenogen IVIS Spectrum，包括：1）旨在探索胶质母细胞瘤新细胞死亡机制的治疗潜力的研究; 2）类固醇受体激动剂和拮抗剂对女性生殖道恶性肿瘤生长的影响的研究; 3）对神经母细胞瘤产生机制的研究; 4）旨在确定诱导移植耐受性的新方法的研究; 5）旨在了解参与皮肤感染免疫监视的特定类型细胞的行为的研究; 6）新发现的信号分子在乳腺癌生长调节中的作用的研究;和7）旨在了解控制糖尿病胰岛素作用的特定蛋白质的作用的研究。几个新项目的重点是乳腺癌转移，耐药性的发展，脂肪细胞分化，以及对导致莱姆病的生物体感染的免疫反应也将受益于所要求的成像系统的可用性。通过加快这些不同项目的进展，这种共享工具将对与健康有关的研究产生重大的积极影响。 公共卫生相关性：我们正在申请资金以购买Xenogen IVIS（R）Spectrum系统，这是可用于小动物细胞和组织的非侵入性生物发光和荧光成像的最新型号仪器。这所大学目前没有这种仪器。它将作为共享资源运行，以加速七个主要用户的健康相关研究，这些用户参与了NIH赞助的项目，重点是癌症，移植，感染免疫反应和糖尿病。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is a shared instrumentation proposal to acquire an IVIS(R) Spectrum imaging system, manufactured by the Xenogen Corporation, recently acquired by Caliper Life Sciences. The IVIS Spectrum is a multimodal bioluminescent and fluorescent imaging system specifically designed for noninvasive imaging of cells and tissues in small animals. Bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging is now widely accepted as a valuable research tool for studying a broad range of biological processes in small animals, including tumor growth, cancer metastasis, bacterial infections, immune responses and inflammation, and regulation of tissue-specific gene expression. Although the University of Toledo Health Science Center has a cadre of nationally recognized NIH-funded investigators working in these areas, the University currently does not have an imaging system designed for use with live animals. Consequently, investigators have had to seek alternative approaches that may be more costly or less effective. By meeting a critical need for small animal fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging technology, the acquisition of the Xenogen IVIS Spectrum system will greatly facilitate progress on seven active NIH-sponsored R01 projects directed by the major users. In addition, access to this shared equipment will extend to minor users and new users who have active grant support or are seeking to develop preliminary data for new grant applications. The equipment will be located in the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine, to facilitate studies with transgenic and immunocompromised mouse models. The day-to-day scheduling, training, and technical support for the instrument will be handled under the auspices of the Advanced Microscopy and Imaging Center, with administrative supervision from the PI and an Internal Advisory Committee. Institutional support for the instrument will come in the form of space allocation for the imaging lab and a 50% subsidy for the annual service contract. Ongoing projects that will benefit from the Xenogen IVIS Spectrum include: 1) Studies aimed at exploring the therapeutic potential of novel cell death mechanisms in glioblastoma; 2) Studies of the effects of steroid receptor agonists and antagonists on the growth of malignancies of the female reproductive tract; 3) Investigations into the mechanisms that give rise to neuroblastoma; 4) Studies aimed at defining new approaches to induce transplant tolerance; 5) Investigations aimed at understanding the behaviors of specific types of cells involved in immune surveillance against infections in the skin; 6) Studies of the roles of newly discovered signaling molecules in the regulation of breast cancer growth; and 7) Studies aimed at understanding the roles of specific proteins that control insulin action in diabetes. Several new projects focused on breast cancer metastasis, development of drug resistance, fat cell differentiation, and immune response to infection by the organism that causes Lyme disease will also benefit from the availability of the requested imaging system. By accelerating progress on these diverse projects, this shared instrumentation will have a major positive impact on health-related research. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: We are requesting funds to acquire a Xenogen IVIS(R) Spectrum system, which is the latest model instrument available for noninvasive bioluminescent and fluorescent imaging of cells and tissues in small animals. This instrument is not currently available at this university. It will be operated as a shared resource to accelerate the health-related research of seven major users who are engaged in NIH-sponsored projects focused on cancer, transplantation, immune response to infection, and diabetes.