|
| |
 The main
goal of the Animal Imaging subproject is the development of tomographic
technologies for non-invasive in-vivo imaging of embryos, organs and whole
animals.
This will be achieved by integrating advanced photon
technologies and improvements in tomographic approaches by developing fast and
accurate inverse methods and basic theory of light transport, as well as 3D
image generation and tissue characterization.
Particular aims are:
-
Building of a CCD-based Fluorescence-mediated Molecular
Tomography (FMT) imager at
FO.R.T.H. with large data acquisition and high resolution, based on a
prototype developed by a member of this consortium (Prof.
Ntziachristos). Increase data information by including time-domain and
spectral measurements of fluorescence signal in whole animals.
-
Further improvement of Optical Projection Tomography
(OPT), a novel 3D imaging technique developed by a member of this consortium
(Dr. Sharpe), so that it can image living tissue (embryos and small cultured
organs). We shall re-engineer the OPT apparatus to add tissue-culturing
capabilities. The technical innovations will include new mechanical designs
to achieve functionality of the imaging device and highly optimised
protocols for culturing tissue.
-
Development of novel analytical and numerical tools for
solving the equations that govern light propagation in multiple and weakly
scattering media (radiative transfer and diffusion equation) and Maxwell’s
equations for electromagnetic wave propagation. These will be fed to novel
inverse solvers to obtain 3D images of fluorescence lifetime and
concentration and other molecular-specific events.
-
Cell and animal models to be used as tools to assess
improvements of FMT and OPT in respect to the depth detection, resolution
and sensitivity and its multispectral capabilities. We shall also study the
feasibility of imaging FRET in vivo in whole animals.
Assessment of the collectively improved technologies for
their appropriateness to answer biological questions in specific model systems.
This will assess applicability of the two novel improved devices in wide areas
of biology such as Developmental biology, Immunology, the mechanisms underlying
human disease, genome wide biology, cell trafficking, etc. In particular we
shall address:
-
Artherosclerotic plaque formation
-
Function of the immune system
-
Monitoring and regulating gene expression in the brain
during complex behaviour.
-
Limb bud development
-
Hematopoietic development
-
Embryonic development of the Immune system
-
Interstitial migration of lymphocytes in lymphoid organs
|
