ReDIB offers preclinical imaging services. Hence, the Molecular and Functional Imaging Facility at CIC biomaGUNE houses two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, hybrid PET-CT and SPECT-CT and optical imaging equipment. The Advanced Infrastructure for Translational Imaging (TRIMA) offers MRI, hybrid PET-CT and fluorescent molecular tomography (FMT). BioImagen Complutense (BioImaC) offers to users, for competitive open access in ReDIB, a low-field MRI equipment for small animals. La Fe Health Research Institute (Imaging La Fe) has 3T MRI, a microPET-CT apparatus and a fluoroscopy equipment.
It can be divided according to their applications into:
- Magnetic Resonance
- Nuclear imaging
-In vivo 3D Imaging and Fluorescence System
2. Molecular and functional imaging (from single molecules to small organisms)
- Optical spectroscopy and microscopy
- Nanoscopy
3. High throughput / Content Imaging (from cells to organisms)
Instrumentation to conduct advanced imaging and spectroscopic experiments applied to biological samples including small rodents, samples or tissue extracts and cell cultures are available at all scientific nodes. The facilities provide the instrumentation and the expertise to carry out a wide range of MRI and MRS experiments, and are equipped with surgery rooms for animal preparation and implementation of surgical models. Ancillary equipment is also available: anesthesia systems, MRI-compatible physiological monitoring systems, infusion pumps, and temperature regulation systems.
Small rodent low-field MRI system. Equipped with a 1T permanent magnet, and a 450 mT/m gradient system, as well as RF probes of different sizes for rats and mice. Available in total assistance mode by BioImaC and self-service mode.
Location: BioImaC
High performance, 9 cm (750 mT/m) gradient; 4 broadband transmission channels and 8 parallel reception channels. Multi-nuclide, including 13C, 19F and 31P.
Location: CIC biomaGUNE
Equipped with two gradients, 21 cm with maximum strength 200 mT/m and a smaller with 12 cm and 400 mT/m maximum strength. 31 cm horizontal bore system.
Location: CNIC
Equipment with 60 cm central tunnel where advanced MR acquisitions are carried out with the possibility of programming special pulse sequences. It has multiple coils for small and large animals, as well as volunteers and patients, with high spatial and temporal resolution.
Location: Imaging La Fe
Composed of two gradients, one of 20 cm (200 mT/m) and the high-field gradient of 12 cm (400 mT/m). Two 2 broadband transmission channels and 4 parallel reception channels.Location: CIC biomaGUNE
All scientific nodes provide hybrid imaging equipment. The Molecular and Functional Imaging Platform at CIC biomaGUNE has hybrid PET-CT and full ring SPECT-CT, the latter offering the possibility of multi-isotope studies with energy discrimination. The Infrastructure for Advanced Translational Imaging (TRIMA) offers hybrid PET-CT imaging. Both nodes are equipped with conditioned rooms for animal preparation and ancilliary equipment including anesthesia systems, physiological monitoring equipment, infusion pumps and temperature regulation systems.
Trimodal imaging system, PET, SPECT and CT – MOLECUBES γ, β and X-CUBES
These devices work separately thus allowing to obtain multimodal images simultaneously. It is composed of three independent modules:
• γ-CUBE. SPECT equipment of high resolution and sensitivity that allows the obtaining of static images of full body of rats and mice.
• β-CUBE. High-resolution, sensitivity PET equipment with a wide axial field of view of 13 cm in a bedding position, with which full-body dynamic acquisitions can be made.
• X-CUBE. High-performance CT equipment that allows to obtain high-resolution anatomical images (50 μ m) of rats and mice in a short time.
Specific features of the system include: images of full-body mice and rats (PET, SPECT and CT); dynamic (PET) and static (PET and SPECT) studies; possibility of acquiring PET images synchronized with the heart rhythm of the cardiac animal gated imaging; possibility of acquiring CT images synchronized with the breathing of the animal respiratory gated imaging; possibility of acquiring PET images of up to four mice simultaneously; image reconstruction using the iterative 3DOSEM algorithm and scatter correction and CT image-based energy attenuation.
The advanced positron emission tomography (PET) dedicated to preclinical imaging provides extensive research possibilities, including the quantitative measurement of the biodistribution of positron emitting isotopes or evaluation of new biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Location: CNIC
Custom-made system dedicated to fast acquisition of fluorescence lifetime images and phasor-FLIM analysis in live samples. The system is equipped with an inverted stand, a tuneable multiphoton laser, two PMTs and two APDs detectors, and a ISS Inc. fast‐FLIM card.
Location: CNIC
A Leica SP8-Navigator confocal microscope for multidimensional 3D/4D/5D acquisition of samples also in vivo. The "Lightning" package allows the acquisition of higher resolution images by automatic settings and deconvolution. The "Navigator " package allows for easy navigation through samples in diverse sample holders and for the setting and acquisition of complex multidimensional captures.
Location: CNIC
High sensitivity with reduced background multicolor (up to 8 colors) imaging can be obtained at 3D reconstruction. Fitted with a module for FCS and FLIM for single molecule dynamics and interaction studies. Also FRAP and FRET analysis modules are available to study diffusion process and interactions at molecular level.
Location: CIC biomaGUNE
It is a fluorescence confocal microscope fitted with: 405, Argon laser (458, 488, 514), DPSS 561, 590 and HeNE 633. FCS and FCCS measurements are carried out using GaASP and PMTr detectors for single fluorescence molecules detection and dynamic characterization. Microscope can be fitted with 2 inserts for live cell imaging for temperature and atmosphere control.
Location: CIC biomaGUNE
Flexible system based on standard immunostaining techniques that combine TIRF and epifluorescence with single molecule imaging (maximun resolution of 20 nm). Able to single molecules localisation in the x,y plane and in fixed cell samples.
Location: CNIC
TIRF illumination for selective visualization of slim structures such as the cell membrane for studies of cell motility, protein aggregation or vesicle traffic. Resolution in Z direction reaches up to 70 nm.
Location: CNIC
Quantifies a large number of biomarkers, mechanistic pathways and levels of translational therapeutic response. Operates in two "near infrared" channels and is compatible with standard anesthesia.
Location: CNIC
The liquid handling workplace is connected to a cell culture incubator with a capacity of 110 plates (Freedom EVO , Tecan) and a carousel plate storage (up to 220 microplates). Includes a cell counter (Coulter) and seader (Multidrop, Thermo).
Location: CNIC
High sensitivity and low noise level that allows visualization and monitoring of cellular and genetic activity in small animals (mainly mice) in vivo and in real time. Enables gene, cell or tissue labelling.
Location: CNIC
Distributed Biomedical Imaging Network