Equipment

IVIS Lumina III Imaging System (Perkin Elmer)

Integrating bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging, the IVIS Lumina Imaging System provides in-life assessment of disease progression. Qualitative and quantitative measures are collected from anesthetized animals targeting whole body disease progression, specific areas of the animals' anatomy, and/or even ex-vivo imaging of organs and tissues. This technology is particularly powerful paired with our various cancer models, and also has applications in oral mucositis, pulmonary disease, and arthritis models. Furthermore, pharmacokinetic biodistribution of bioluminescent or fluorescent active target compounds or cells can be evaluated via both in-vivo and ex-vivo imaging.

MACSQuant Analyzer for FACS analysis (Miltenyi Biotec)

Ability to analyze up to seven parameters simultaneously. For use in the detailed characterization of multiple cell types, assessment of cytokine production, intra-cellular signaling, and evaluation of the purity of cell populations. Relevant to any model in which a particular cell type needs to be identified and/or characterized. For example, assessing tumor infiltrating leukocytes in oncology models, activation of lymphocytes following drug delivery, and tracking engraftment in adoptive transfer models.

HD Endoscopy (Karl Storz)

Endoscopic evaluation is tantamount to determining the efficacy of experimental compounds in the treatment of IBD and colitis. Our skilled technicians carefully perform endoscopic evaluation and monitor disease progression using a five-point scale to generate a colitis score. Endoscopic evaluations can be performed at various time points throughout a study, which is useful in tracking the progression of disease over time and the response of disease to test articles. Relevant Models: Colitis, Proctitis, GI-ARS.

flexiVent™ Rodent Mechanical Ventilator (SCIREQ)

The measure of detailed lung mechanics is necessary in the evaluation of translatable endpoints in models of pulmonary disease. The flexiVent™ rodent mechanical ventilator provides us with the ability to apply ventilator support for small animals, but also has the capability of using forced oscillations to provide detailed lung mechanics in rodents. These measures include quasi-static pressure-volume loops to quantify static lung elastance and compliance as well as broadband forced oscillations that measure lung input impedance that provides information on airway and tissue properties. Additionally, the ability to nebulize bronchoconstrictive agents into the inspiratory stream allows precise measure of airway hyperreactivity in lung inflammation models. Relevant Models: Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Allergic Asthma, Pulmonary Fibrosis

X-Ray Radiation Source (Kimtron)

The Kimtron Polaris II is used to safely deliver radiation therapy in a contained and shielded cabinet. The source has a 160kV potential and is utilized in studies that require varied doses of acute, fractionated or chronic irradiation. To ensure accuracy, the 560 Advanced Therapy Dosimeter (Fluke Biomedical) reference grade instrument is used to measure the charge and current emitted from the ion chambers. In addition, we have thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) that accurately detect ionizing radiation. When a chip is exposed to radiation, it absorbs the energy which can be read using a TLD reader. The reader heats the chips and detect the intensity of light emitted, which is directly correlated with the radiation exposure. Relevant Models: Oral Mucositis, Dermatitis, Proctitis, GI-ARS, TBI.