Biocontainment Animal Imaging
Director: Gregory D. Sempowski, PhD

Shared Resource Summary:
The Biocontainment Animal Imaging Shared Resource is led by Gregory Sempowski, PhD. This facility is unique in that the imaging services are contained within a BSL-2/BSL-3 facility. The use of in vivo imaging techniques to follow the course of infection, replication, persistence, and dissemination of pathogens in mice has provided a valuable tool to analyze the interaction between these agents and the host. Live whole animal imaging significantly reduces the numbers of animals required for kinetic studies and allows, at terminal necropsy, for localization of specific sites of pathogen colonization. Through the generous award of SERCEB (Nov. 1, 2007) we were able to purchase an IVIS Spectrum (Caliper/Xenogen) for the BSL-3 animal facility in the RBL at Duke. The system along with an off-line workstation were installed in Jan. 2008. The IVIS Spectrum is a noninvasive quantitative 3D molecular imaging instrument capable of detecting transmission fluorescence, reflected fluorescence and bioluminescence. The instrument handles a wide-range of applications for in vivo and in vitro imaging (microplates/dishes up to 5 mice or 2 rats). The image chamber has on board temperature control, gas anesthesia and Living Images analysis software. In addition to bioluminescent (luciferase) microorganisms, this technology can also be used to monitor host response through the use of Luc-reporter mouse strains where the Luc gene is linked to the promoters for critical signaling pathways such as NFkb, TNFa, IL-2, etc. (available from Caliper/Xenogen through Taconic or Jackson Labs). The IVIS Spectrum is the industry-leader in sensitivity and flexibility for bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging and was therefore selected as the platform technology for this Shred Resource component of the DHVI/RBL.
Personnel/Contact Information:
Director: Gregory D. Sempowski, PhD Office Phone: (919) 684-4386 Lab Phone: (919) 684-3280 Fax: (919) 684-3282 Email: gsem@duke.edu	Operator: Kristina J. Riebe Office Phone: (919) 681-2935 Lab Phone: (919) 684-3280 Fax: (919) 684-3282 Email: riebe002@mc.duke.edu
Location: 1033 GHRB, DUMC Box 103020, Durham, NC 27710
Getting Started:
Please see the Common Tools sidebar to register to use facilities, schedule or request a job, and to retrieve data. Please contact the facility director (Dr. Sempowski) to discuss study design, access and availability. Current approved base rates are listed below for services. Discounts may apply to these rates based on membership in affiliated centers or programs. Please contact the DHVI Shared Resources Business Office at (919) 684-3349 or via email. DHVI Biocontainment Animal Imaging Rates
Facilities and Instruments:
ABSL-2 and -3 whole animal imaging on a Xenogen Spectrum (Caliper) in collaboration with the Duke Regional Biocontainment Laboratory. Location, safety and biocontainment: The IVIS Spectrum instrument is contained at ABSL3 in the RBL at Duke. This allows host-pathogen imaging at ABSL-1, 2 and 3 under appropriate SOPs for investigators. Primary access is reserved for SERCEB investigators. Animal holding room 1092C has sufficient space to accommodate the IVIS instrument, cryogenic unit, gas anesthesia machine, and data acquisition computer. The room has been renovated to provide additional power lines, oxygen lines and data jacks to accommodate the system. The ABSL3 animal holding room has an adjacent class II biosafety cabinet with a second gas anesthesia machine for humanely manipulating the animals and preparing them for imaging in containment chambers. An off-line computer workstation with the Living Image software has been established in the core computer work room located outside of the containment animal facility. This allows investigators to work with their images and data without the need for personal protective equipment etc. The IVIS Spectrum will be utilized to image animals (e.g. mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits) that have been exposed to a variety of infectious agents in collaboration with the Aerobiology and Animal models Cores in the RBL.
Services Provided:
IVIS Spectrum (Xenogen/Caliper) whole animal imaging on a per cage and per timepoint fee-for-service structure (photo) Ongoing Research Poxvirus gene expression, replication, and vaccine development Viral vector-based vaccine delivery and efficacy In vivo tracking of novel vaccine components with fluorescent tags
Protocols and Documents:
Methods courtesy of Caliper Preparation of Luciferin Luciferin Kinetics Imaging of Mice Safety SOP's Safety SOP for Live Animal Imaging at BSL-1 and BSL-2 Safety SOP for Live Animal Imaging at BSL-3
Affiliated Centers:
Southeast Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infections (www.serceb.org) NIAID Regional Biocontainment Laboratory at Duke (AI58607) Infectious Disease Animal Model Core Aerobiology Core
Publications:
2007-2009 (in development)