In Vivo Imaging
Eliminate autofluorescence, multiplex and generate co-registered all-optical anatomic mapping
In vivo imaging has become a critical component of drug development and medical practice. However, most whole animal imaging modalities reveal just anatomical rather than molecular features. CRi’s award-winning Maestro in vivo molecular imaging systems incorporate breakthrough technology that provides quantitative spatial information about molecular targets such as proteins and RNA species in intact small animals. CRi also has exclusive licensing rights to Dynamic Contrast Enhancement (DyCE™) technology, which can be used to create anatomical surface maps of major internal organs without having to resort to CT or MR scanning. These maps can be readily co-registered with molecular imaging data obtained in the same animal. DyCE can also provide temporal biodistribution information on markers, probes, or drugs. As with CRi’s fluorescent microscopy systems, the Maestro system can also remove the confounding effects of skin and tissue autofluorescence, resulting in dramatic, hundred-fold reduction in achievable detection levels for fluorescent labels.
Click on images to enlarge
Image 1: Tumors and vasculature labeled with Anti-CEA antibody. (Invitrogen Corporation)
Image 2: Triple labeled, co-expression of AF-markers. (Stanford Univ Workshop)
Image 3: QDot detection after unmixing food and tissue autofluorescence. (S Nie, Emory Univ)
Maestro systems can acquire images in seconds and unmix signals that overlap spatially as well as spectrally. The color image is low in contrast and does not allow each signal to be clearly seen. Maestro unmixes the Cy3.5 (blue, FITC (green), TRITC (red), food (yellow), and skin (gray) and results in a high-contrast composite image.
Sample and images courtesy of R. Weissleder, U. Mahmood and J. Tam, Massachusetts General Hospital.
