In vivo Imaging

The In Vivo Department focuses its activities on multimodal preclinical imaging, including isotopic techniques, X-ray imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, optical imaging, and photoacoustic imaging. The department addresses scientific questions at morphological, functional, and molecular levels using small animal models. Its research activities cover a broad range of application fields, including oncology, inflammation, drugs biodistribution, skeletal disorders, cell tracking (stem cells, parasites, …), and infectiology, angiology (angiography, hypoxia, …). The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and includes a dedicated animal housing unit directly connected to the imaging suites, ensuring optimal experimental workflow and compliance with preclinical research standards.

VECTor platform (Milabs-Rigaku): allows PET/SPECT/CT (Positron Emission Tomography/ Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography/ Computed Tomography) in vivo imaging as well as autoradiography on ex vivo specimen.

The VECTor platform constitutes a preclinical multimodal camera for radioisotopes detection. Purchased with specific collimators this platform constitutes an exceptional system that allows the detection of high and low energy radioisotopes emitters such as alpha-emitters (At-211, Ac-225,…) and beta emitters (Lu-177) which are used in vectorized radiotherapy of new generation. VECTor platform constitutes therefore an exceptional imaging system unavoidable in the preclinical radiotheranostics. Besides the field of oncology VECTor platform is also dedicated to image radiotracers for diagnosis that put in evidence biological pathways deregulation associated with immunology or brain disorders.

nanoScan PETCT (Mediso):  preclinical imaging system used to study small animals . It combines PET, which shows biological activity like metabolism or drug uptake, with CT, which provides detailed anatomical structure. Together, they create a fused image that shows both function and anatomy with high precision.

Skyscan 1276 µCT scanner (Brucker): a high-resolution in vivo imaging system designed for small animal studies. It enables non-invasive 3D visualization of internal structures with a spatial resolution down to 10 µm.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): is a non-invasive imaging technique used to visualize soft tissues in vivo with very high contrast and spatial resolution. It is widely applied in preclinical research to study anatomy, brain structure, tumor development, and organ function over time.

9.4T MRI (Bruker, Biospec 94/20): equipped with mouse head & body, rat body & surface 1H coils, 19F/1H mouse body coil, 13C/1H surface coil.

1T MRI (Bruker, ICON):  equipped with mouse head & body 1H coils.

Multi-spectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) – Ultrasound Computed Tomography (UCT) (iThera Medical, inVision Echo): for simultaneous optoacoustic and ultrasound tomography, equipped with internal mouse and small rat holders, and 3D Cup hand-held detector.

MSOT-UCT is a noninvasive and non-ionizing preclinical in vivo imaging device. It provides axial tomographic images of the whole body at high spatial resolution (± 150 µm) in real time. It allows visualization of multiples molecules such as endogenous chromophores (melanin, deoxyhemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin, …) and exogenous contrast agents (cyanine dyes, gold nanocompounds, …). Applications include tissue and tumor oxygenation, perfusion, and hypoxia studies, melanoma monitoring, drugs biodistribution, and renal pharmacokinetics.

Optical Imaging (Biospace Lab, PhotonImager Optima): for simultaneous imaging of up to 10 mice and imaging or other small animals such as rats, eels, zebrafishes, … Multimodal system designed for bioluminescence, fluorescence and Cherenkov luminescence imaging, and also equipped with additional 4-Views, MACROLENS and X-Rays modules.

Near-infrared fluorescence imaging (KearLabs, KIS750) with free access to the animal during real-time imaging.