Optical imaging is a non invasive technology allowing to visualize molecular events in real-time and over time in the same animal, providing an optimal tool for studying tumor physiology, metastasis pattern, and tumor response to drug treatment.
The instruments present within the laboratory allow for the visualization of molecular and cellular processes both in vitro and in vivo, in small model organisms, supporting basic research as well as pre-clinical applications.
The laboratory, therefore, is a resource both for a detailed understanding of biological and pathological events within the organism, and for the development of new targeted therapeutic approaches at the molecular level.
The laboratory is equipped with a cell culture facility for the expansion and maintenance of cell lines
During optical imaging experiments, mice are anesthetized using a gaseous anaesthesia system based on isoflurane mixed to oxygen and nitrogen protoxide and placed inside Explore Optix. A prescan image is acquired before labelled probe administration. Different routes of administration can be performed: intraperitoneal, intravenous, intratumor, subcutaneous, etc.
Specific probes are synthesized by conjugating a fluorescent dye to a biomarker (a small protein, peptide, and antibody)
The service offers experimental model preparation through in vivo labelled cells implantation
The service include the development of animal models and animal housing to study the biodistribution of chemical compounds in animal models (drugs, raw materials, nanovectors, etc) or biological compounds (antibodies, proteins, etc)
Customized solutions are developed to solve different problems and CBM researchers offer a specialized technical support to the experimental design procedure
