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– Information –
Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism as the result of a chemical reaction during which chemical energy is converted to light energy. This chemo-luminescence reaction occurs when the substrate luciferin, a generic term for light-emitting pigments, is oxidized by the enzyme luciferase to produce oxyluciferin and energy in the form of light. This process is different from fluorescence where an exterior source of light is absorbed and remitted as another wavelength of light. Because there is no exterior light source, there is no autofluorescence that can obscure low signals; this can result in higher sensitivity compared to fluorescence. However, because it is a chemical reaction, the substrate uciferin must be injected just prior to each imaging session and the light only lasts for as long as the reaction continues (approximately 1-30 min depending on amount injected).
Bioluminescence imaging is a high-sensitivity, low-noise, non-invasive technique used for visualizing, tracking, and monitoring specific cellular and genetic activity in an animal. This specificity comes from the ‘tagging’ of the target gene or cells with firefly or Renillia luciferase. When the genes or cells are activated, they emit light, which the system can passively detect and can then record the resulting images. A typical image can take 1 to 5 minutes to acquire. Using the maximum field of view, up to three whole mice can be imaged simultaneously, while another three mice can be anesthetized in an external induction chamber. Using this staggered system, large sets of animals can be processed in a relatively short period of time.
One possible use for this modality is tracking the migration of cells inside a subject. Once the target cells have been tagged with the appropriate luminescent marker, firefly or Renilla luciferase, the cells can be tracked over time. Tracking is done by injecting and visualizing the marker’s substrate, either luciferin (for firefly) or coelenterazine (for Renilla luciferase). This technique, for instance, could be used to monitor the growth and metastasis of tumors.
For more detailed information about the Xenogen IVIS-50 bioluminescence.
– Specifications –
Hardware Field of View (length x width): 5 cm X 5 cm to 12 cm X 12 cm (variable zoom) Resolution: 50 to 400 μm (based on zoom lens position) Sensitivity: 100 photons/s/cm2 Scan Time: 1 to 5 min Reconstruction Time: 1 to 30 sec Scans needed for 1 mouse (Nose to Rump): 1 scan (at farthest position) to 3 scans (at nearest position) Maximum whole Mice per Scan: 3
Software Living Image™ Operating System: Windows XP, 2000, NT and Mac OS X Supported File Format: TIFF, BMP, PNG Image Data Types: 32-bit floating-point and 32-bit RGB color Average File Size: 1 Mb to 5 Mb Possible Analysis Techniques: Measure area, mean, standard deviation, min and max of selection or entire image. Generate histograms and profile plots.
Living Image® software is the image acquisition and analysis product from Xenogen. It provides a straightforward interface for imaging and data collection. The camera control panel sets and displays all imaging parameters, from exposure time to lens aperture and focus. The process is designed to minimize setup time and maximize throughput.
– Rates –
Xenogen IVIS-50 bioluminescence Academic users: $200.00 per hour + contrast agent cost; billing is in 1/2 hour increments. Corporate users: $300.00 per hour + contrast agent cost; billing is in 1/2 hour increments. 24 hour notice is required for changing or cancelling an appointment, or you will be charged for the scheduled time.
The BIDMC and Longwood SAIF are murine viral pathogen-free and endo/ectoparasite-free animal facilities. All incoming animals must be of the identical health status. Prior to acceptance and transport of rodents to the BIDMC and Longwood SAIF a recent (within 3 months) health report must be submitted and reviewed by the BIDMC veterinarian. All decisions regarding animal import are at the discretion of the BIDMC veterinarian, and are final.
Animals transported from within BIDMC but not SL3* ARF
Animals transported to the BIDMC from an OUTSIDE institution
Long-term studies
(> 1 day)
- Animals can move back and forth with approved BIDMC protocol/amendment - Only Transport Form is needed
- The long-term animal facility is now open at the Longwood SAIF
- An approved BIDMC protocol/
amendment, Import Form, and Health Report are needed to use the satellite facility
- The long-term animal facility is now open at the Longwood SAIF
- An approved Institutional protocol/
amendment, Import Form, and Health Report are needed to use the satellite facility
Short-term studies
(<1 day)
- Animals can move back and forth with approved BIDMC protocol/amendment - Only Transport Form is needed
- Animals can be imported once (terminal experiment) with an approved BIDMC protocol/amendment - Import Form and Health Report are needed
- Animals can be imported once (terminal experiment) with an approved Institutional protocol/amendment - Import Form and Health Report are needed
*SL3 – BIDMC Slosberg-Landay 3rd floor Animal Research Facility.
The Longwood SAIF cannot accept any animals from the Thorn building or other, similar facilities.
Other Notes:
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Previously euthanized animals or tissue specimens can be imaged if they are placed in a sealed plastic bag prior to shipment and must remain in the plastic bag while imaged; they must then be placed in a second plastic bag prior to disposal without protocol/health forms (i.e., animals can be imaged post mortem).
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After an animal has been euthanized, it can be taken back to its originating institution by the client for necropsy/histology.
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For short-term studies, all animals must be euthanized after imaging. In rare instances and only with written approval by the BIDMC veterinarian, live animals can be returned to their originating institution if a certain procedure in the approved animal protocol can be performed only at the originating facility and its endpoint is euthanasia by the end of the day (e.g., reperfusion of animal with formaldehyde for histology).
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Currently there is no overnight housing of animals at the BIDMC Animal Research Facility (Slosberg-Landay 3) until the completion of the new satellite facility (expected in summer 2007). Animals will only be accepted into the satellite if they are free of rodent viruses, endoparasites, and ectoparasites as per a recent health report.
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Animals that will come into the new, long-term satellite animal facility cannot be moved back to the SL3 facility without 8 weeks of quarantine.
