Acquisition of an IVIS Spectrum 2 for Localization and Quantification of Fluorescence and Bioluminescence in Live Animals

SUMMARY
We request funding to purchase of an IVIS™ Spectrum 2 to be housed at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical
School (NJMS) Advanced Preclinical Imaging Laboratory (APIL) which is part of the Rutgers University Molecular
Imaging Core (RUMIC). The Spectrum 2 is a state-of-the-art optical imaging platform for in vivo imaging of live
specimens ranging from cells to rodents. It will support 20 currently-funded projects of 8 major users and
additional minor users. It advances research programs focused on parasitic and viral infections, pancreatic
cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, intestinal diseases such as colitis and improved methods for drug delivery. The
investigators listed on this shared instrumentation proposal utilize optical imaging to study a wide variety of
biological processes. One group of investigators uses it to detect and quantify drug distribution. A second group
of investigators uses it to track disease progression in different tumor models. A third group of investigators uses
it to detect dissemination of pathogens and quantify pathogen replication.
The thermoelectrically cooled CCD camera in the Spectrum 2 enables use of a broad range of
bioluminescent, fluorescent and chemiluminescent reporters, as well as Cerenkov luminescence. It attains
improved quantum efficiency from a patented coating that captures more signal across the visible and near-
infrared wavelengths. This enables highly sensitive, non-invasive 2D bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging
which can be algorithmically reconstructed into 3D images. The improved signal-to-noise ratio provides high-
quality images with excellent resolution. The Spectrum 2 has a standard high-throughput 22.5 cm field of view
for simultaneous imaging of 5 mice, extendable to 10 mice with the optional 10-mouse manifold. Trans-
illumination from underneath the samples enables detection of fluorescence even from deep tissue and epi-
illumination aids imaging that requires higher throughput. The image analysis software is widely adopted, intuitive
and user friendly. It removes autofluorescence and separately quantifies multiplexed fluorescent signals.
Fluorescence and bioluminescence signals are quantified in 2D or reconstructed 3D space and viewed in the
context of idealized anatomical structures. Accessories are designed to streamline imaging workflow and boost
throughput for expedited data acquisition. In summary, the IVIS Spectrum 2 represents cutting-edge in vivo
optical imaging that will propel research forward and lead to therapeutic advances to improve human health.

Grant Number: 1S10OD038361-01
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Purnima Bhanot