In vivo imaging system available for use by WSU affiliates

DeWittPULLMAN, Wash. – Previously unavailable techniques are accessible to Washington State University researchers for a small fee with the IVIS (in vivo imaging system) Spectrum CT.

The equipment enables measurement of optical probes in live, anaesthetized research animals. This requires fewer animals, thus reducing costs and increasing the validity of results.

The equipment is housed in the Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience in the Veterinary and Biomedical Research Building. More information is available at http://ipn.vetmed.wsu.edu/equipment-resources/ivis-live-imaging.

DeWitt-with-IVIS
David DeWitt, equipment coordinator for the Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, with the IVIS system.

Those interested in using the IVIS system may contact equipment manager David DeWitt at ddewitt@vetmed.wsu.edu.

The system is ideal for following the progress of tumor growth, spread and regression; tracking the distribution and growth of infectious agents; tracing how the body metabolizes drugs and monitoring the effects of drugs.

The IVIS instrument can measure bioluminescence, fluorescence and Cerenkov emissions from radio tracers. It has a CT scanner so the location and intensity of the optical probes can be registered in 3D.

The instrument was provided to the WSU research community by a grant from M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust.