# Integrated photoacoustic and fluorescence imaging system for anatomical, functional, and molecular characterization of murine models

> **NIH NIH R44** · PHOTOSOUND TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · 2022 · $997,451

## Abstract

SUMMARY
PhotoSound Technologies, Inc. proposes to develop a novel imaging modality for characterization and
preclinical research of small animal models. The technology will be capable of three-dimensional functional and
molecular imaging of fluorescent labels and reporter genes mapped with high fidelity over robust anatomical
structures, such as skin, central and peripheral vasculature, and internal organs. The Phase II commercial
instrument is designed to perform high-throughput whole body imaging of rodent models. It could be used in
broad spectrum of preclinical research applications including cancer, toxicology, tissue engineering and
regeneration, cardiovascular and developmental biology. In addition to qualitatively superior performance
characteristics, the proposed multimodality imaging platform will significantly reduce space and funds required
to house and operate a whole-body imaging platform at an animal research facility.
Optical in vivo imaging methods (fluorescence and bioluminescence) found great popularity among researchers
as affordable, convenient, and very sensitive molecular imaging tools for preclinical studies and development
of animal models. However, their stand-alone application is impeded by poor spatial resolution and limitations
imposed by two-dimensionality of the images. A fast and high-resolution in vivo 3D imaging method, which
could be easily integrated with optical imaging in a single instrument, would have a great impact on the entire
field of small animal research. Photoacoustic tomography is an emerging whole body 3D imaging modality
capable of 200-500 µm resolution. It can also use the same components for excitation of fluorescence and
generation of photoacoustic effect. However, its in vivo application for detection of fluorophores is impeded by
strong background generated by native blood. Also, there are no commercial or research photoacoustic whole-
body imaging instrument that could work with high-throughput imaging procedures (<5 min per animal). Our
proposal shows a way to defeat shortcomings of each individual technology and enable fast high-resolution
whole body 3D imaging of fluorescent biomarkers by integrating robotic scanning and multi-view orthogonal
fluorescence and photoacoustics in a single co-registered modality (PAFT).
The Phase II project is focused on development of a commercial PAFT instrument and is organized in three
specific aims: (1) Develop, fabricate, and assess the performance of a commercial PAFT instrument; (2) Develop
and implement high-throughput PAFT image reconstruction method; (3) Field-test the commercial PAFT
instrument. Ultimate commercial system will enable high-throughput in vivo 3D visualization and analysis of
native hemoglobin, fluorophores, nanoparticles, and other photosensitive constructs used for molecular and
functional mapping and longitudinal studies. Such an instrument would alleviate subjective interpretation of
missing and misregistered imaging data and wou...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10485114
- **Project number:** 2R44OD023029-02A1
- **Recipient organization:** PHOTOSOUND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Sergey A Ermilov
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $997,451
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2017-09-15 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10485114

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10485114, Integrated photoacoustic and fluorescence imaging system for anatomical, functional, and molecular characterization of murine models (2R44OD023029-02A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10485114. Licensed CC0.

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