IVIS Imaging Core

Welcome to the In vivo Imaging System (IVIS)  Core!

slide2The tracking of stem cell populations in vivo (for example in animal models) is essential for sophisticated stem cell research. Thus, CReM members Drs. Lou Gerstenfeld and Darrell Kotton Co-Direct the IVIS Imaging Core of Boston University Medical Campus. This Core contains the Caliper IVIS Spectrum Imaging System, allowing state-of-the-art tracking of cell populations in vivo in small animals. The fate and differentiation of cells derived from transplanted stem cells, for instance, can be non-invasively followed in vivo using bioluminescent or fluorescent tags monitored by this camera.

The IVIS Imaging Core is jointly funded through the Boston University Department of Medicine in collaboration with the Boston University School of Medicine. This imaging core is a subsidiary of the larger Animal Research Resource Core (ARRC) on campus, which maintains a variety of fee-for-service cell or animal imaging systems for campus investigators. Those wishing to learn more about the IVIS Imaging system or book time on the instrument, should email the Core Manager listed below.
*Please remember to acknowledge the BUMC IVIS Core Facility in your publications, seminars, etc.  Furthermore, please inform the BUMC IVIS Core of any acknowledgements that you may give to it. Two examples of an acknowledgment are: “The authors acknowledge the assistance of the Boston University Medical Campus In Vivo Imaging Core Facility” or “In vivo imaging data were acquired using equipment maintained by the Boston University Medical Campus In Vivo Imaging Core Facility”.

Core Co-Directors:

Lou Gerstenfeld, Ph.D lgersten@bu.edu
Darrell Kotton, M.D dkotton@bu.edu

Core Technician/Manager: Lou Gerstenfeld lgersten@bu.edu x4-1660

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Courtesy Tai Cheng Chen, Ph.D.

Instrument Details:

IVIS Spectrum Instrument 120V, with Fluorescence Kit (Trans and Epi Illumination)


Location LASC W 816/ Computer Work Stations: X444

For more information from Caliper, including IVIS imaging reagents, click here.

The IVIS Spectrum imaging platform enables users to quantify depth, geometry and intensity for both bioluminescent and fluorescent sources in three dimensional spatial resolutions. The primary use of the instrumentation is to non-invasively monitor bioluminescence and fluorescence in 3 dimensions within small animal models (rats and mice) although the instrument may also be used to assay comparatively sized tissues volumes for short periods of time post animal retrieval for specimens from larger animals. The Caliper/Xenogen IVIS Spectrum Instrument with Fluorescence Kit, Anesthesia System, and Living Image Acquisition/Analysis Package provides the capacity to non-invasively monitor up to (5 mice) at once with the capacity to monitor in vivo multiple fluorescent reporter and bioluminescent reporters simultaneously. The Living Image Acquisition/Analysis Software Package that is included with the system provides advanced quantification and analysis of all data acquired in 3 dimensions from each animal.

1. Uses of the system include tracking of bioluminescent or fluorescently tagged cancer cells to monitor growth and metastasis.
2. Monitor all forms of cell transplant experiments to quantify engraftment, cell growth or cell differentiation. Uses would include studies of stem cell transplants, reconstitution of hematological and immune systems after irradiation.
3. Monitor the in vivo gene activity in transgenic animals carrying appropriately tagged promoter indicator trangenes.
4. Monitor in vivo gene activities in cells that have been reconstituted to carry a bioluminescent or fluorescently tagged expressed gene.
5. Monitor any form of biochemical activity that can be assayed using a bioluminescent or fluorescently tagged substrate.

*To see what in vivo imaging research is underway at BUMC, please click here*

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August 26, 2011
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of BU School of Medicine