The Small Animal Studies Core currently supports nuclear (PET), X-ray (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) and optical (bioluminescence and fluorescence) imaging in small animals to investigators at City of Hope. All experiments conducted must be performed according to approved protocols (e.g. IACUC, IBC and RSC).
- Training for investigators or their laboratory personnel to operate the optical imaging equipment (Lago and Lago X)
- Supervision in how to handle, prepare and run PET/CT scans of rodents (GNEXT and Inveon)
- Training in how to handle, administer, survey, track and dispose of radioactive materials used in imaging experiments
- Training in using analytical image software for quantitative image analysis
Positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are nuclear imaging techniques that allow visualization, characterization and quantification of biological processes (metabolic and functional) in vivo. PET uses positron-emitting radionuclides such as Cu-64, F-18, Ga-68, I-124, Y-86, Zr-89, whereas SPECT uses gamma-emitting radionuclides such as I-123, In-111, Lu-177 and Tc-99m.
Both PET and SPECT can be combined with CT (computed or computerized tomography) that uses X-rays to visualize anatomical structures (e.g., tissues, organs, and skeletal structure). PET can also be combined with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) that does not use radiation but a magnetic field and radio waves to create very detailed anatomical structures and superior soft-tissue contrast. The PET, CT and MRI images can be viewed separately or as a single, overlapping "fused" PET-CT/MRI image.
Bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging are non-radioactive optical imaging technologies.
PET/CT/MR Imaging Reservation Request
Submit this form to reserve small animal PET/CT/MR imaging requests. We will confirm the reservation in a timely manner via your email provided, usually in a day or so.
The principal investigators and the user in their lab are responsible for their animal welfare and will, at minimum, bring the animals to be imaged in and out of the core. Therefore, we encourage users to get trained so that they can conduct the studies under the core staff supervision to learn imaging techniques and image analysis.
How to Acknowledge the Small Animal Studies Core
If you’ve used our instruments and services for publications, presentations, grant applications, media releases, or any other form of media, it is extremely important to acknowledge the Small Animal Studies Core to demonstrate our involvement in the research of many laboratories. As a courtesy, we also request that you inform us of the publication of any images created by the Small Animal Studies Core.
Current pricing can be found on iLab Solutions.
- Two units for optical luminescence and fluorescence imaging with X-ray (Lago X and Spectral)
- One unit for optical luminescence and fluorescence imaging (Lago and Spectral)
- One dual-mode PET/CT scanner (GNEXT and SOFIE Biosciences)
- One dual-mode PET/MRI scanner (7TMRI/PET and MR Solutions)
- One single mode PET scanner (Inveon and Siemens)
The Small Animal Studies Core is also equipped with a scale and gamma counter (PerkinElmer) available for trained users for ex vivo biodistribution studies.
In a given year, City of Hope conducts more than 400 clinical trials enrolling more than 6,000 patients.
Tiet, P., Li, J., Abidi, W., Mooney, R., Flores, L., Aramburo, S., Batalla-Covello, J., Gonzaga, J., Tsaturyan, L., Kang, Y., Cornejo, Y. R., Dellinger, T., Han, E., Aboody, K. S., & Berlin, J. M.
Mooney, R., Majid, A. A., Mota, D., He, A., Aramburo, S., Flores, L., Covello-Batalla, J., Machado, D., Gonzaga, J., & Aboody, K. S.
Alizadeh, D., Wong, R. A., Yang, X., Wang, D., Pecoraro, J. R., Kuo, C. F., Aguilar, B., Qi, Y., Ann, D. K., Starr, R., Urak, R., Wang, X., Forman, S. J., & Brown, C. E.
City of Hope is focused on basic and clinical research in cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.
