# Animal Imaging

> **NIH NIH P30** · SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH · 2024 · $303,350

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The Animal Imaging Core provides individual projects with non-invasive, high-resolution quantitative imaging-
based capabilities for metabolic, phenotypic, and genetic characterization of tumors and their
microenvironment, including in vivo trafficking of tumor cells for rodent models of human cancer. This is
accomplished by monitoring of “directly-targeting” probes and of the expression of single-and multi-modality
reporter genes using optical (bioluminescence and fluorescence), radionuclide (PET, SPECT, and
autoradiography), MRI/MRS, CT, and US imaging. These non-invasive imaging techniques have long been
established at MSK for small-animal imaging studies, are quantitative and thus readily adaptable to longitudinal
studies. Co-localization of all animal imaging capabilites within the ZRC vivarium provides enhanced
biosecurity and functionality and houses the Core’s Focus 120 microPET and Imveon microPET/microCT, Ivis
Spectrum and Spectrum CT optical imaging systems NanoSPECT/CT Plu, and Vevo 2100 ultrasound system.
The Ivis 100 optical imaging system has been upgraded to a Lumina II system and remains on the 12th floor of
the Rockefeller Research Laboratory to provide ready access for investigators in that building. A new
isocentric, image (CT)-guided microirradiator, the X-RAD 225Cx Image-Guided Biological Irradiator, for precise
(down to 1-mm3) therapeutic irradiation of rodent tumors and other structures provides investigators with
clinical-grade radiotherapy capability in terms of spatial accuracy and precision of dose delivery. The Core’s
7.0T 30-cm boreBruker NMR imaging and spectroscopy systems is within the ZRC Vivarium. The new PET
insert (funded by RC2CA14897), which the Core recently received is compatible with the 7T magnet and is in
current use. Additionally, the Core has an 11.7T vertical magnet and will shortly accept a new 9.4T magnet
(funded by 1S10 OD023669) with an updated console (AV3) to replace the old 4.7T MR system) to be installed
in this space as well. The Core also provides investigators with access to critical ancillary equipment and
services such as a Fuji Film BAS-1800II phosphor-plate digital autoradiography system, a digital-camera-
equipped Olympus B 201 fluorescence microscope with motorized stage, and a Microm HM500M cryostatic
microtome and software such as SAAM II for linear and non-linear compartmental modeling, PMOD for voxel-
based compartmental modeling/ parametric imaging, and OLINDA for internal radionuclide radiation dosimetry.
The scientific value and cost-effectiveness of this state-of-the-art Animal Imaging Core is documented by the
following (among other metrics): nearly 500 peer-reviewed Core-supported publications from 2013-2017 and 9
major instruments purchased with funding support provided by NIH and other Shared Instrumentation grants.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10953717
- **Project number:** 4P30CA008748-58
- **Recipient organization:** SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH
- **Principal Investigator:** Hongbiao Carl Lekaye
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $303,350
- **Award type:** 4N
- **Project period:** 1997-01-20 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10953717

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10953717, Animal Imaging (4P30CA008748-58). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10953717. Licensed CC0.

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