Georgia Cancer Center Small Animal Imaging Shared Resource
Overview of Services
Serving the needs of the research community...
GCC Small Animal Imaging Shared Resource (GCC_SAIR) has been commissioned to provide a wide range of imaging and radiation treatment resource for animal research. The preclinical services are translational in operation while remaining cutting edge in the advancement of basic research. The services are available to the Augusta University Research Enterprise and other outside scientific investigators.
Services The services available through CGG- SAIR include:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography
Bioluminescence Imaging
Fluorescence Imaging
X-Ray imaging
Radiation Therapy
Image Data Analysis (simple and complex)
Image Analysis Software Development
X-Ray Irradiation
Gamma Irradiation
Instruments and Resources
MR photos- with sample images
GCC- SAIR generates MR images with a 7T magnet operated with Bruker Biospin imaging software and support instruments. The imaging is non-invasive and can execute a wide array of protocols from anatomical imaging, to angiography, to spectroscopy, and many more.
Images (3 included- one instrument and two sample images)
SPECT photos- with sample images
SPECT is a nuclear medicine tomographic imaging technique using gamma rays. It is very similar to conventional nuclear medicine planar imaging using a gamma camera; however, it is able to provide true 3D information. This information is typically presented as cross-sectional slices through the patient, but can be freely reformatted or manipulated as required. Instead of just 'taking a picture' of anatomical structures, a SPECT scan monitors level of biological activity at each place in the 3-D region analyzed.
Images (3 included – one instrument and two sample images)
BLI/FLI/X-Ray photos- with sample images GCC- SAIR has two instruments available for bioluminescence, fluorescence, and X-ray imaging:
Ami-X System by Spectral Imaging
Fluorescence Module
Bioluminescent Imaging Capability
X-ray capabilities
Xenogen IVIS® Lumina
XFO-12 Fluorescence Module
Bioluminescent Imaging Capability
The systems can detect wavelengths between 450 – 860 nm, and can image up to five animals in one session.
Imaging (4 included – two instruments and two sample images)
SARRP- with sample images
GCC-SAIR offers organ specific radiation treatment for small animals and cells through the use of its Small Animal Research Radiation Platform. The treatment is accomplished by using 3-D CT scanning to identify the region of interest for radiation treatment and using high precision beam geometry to localize the specific organ for conformal dose distribution.
Images (2 included- one instrument and one actions/sample image)
Image Analysis listing of software/services
Image data analysis services and training are available from the straight forward to the very complex. We have computer scientist on staff with years of training in writing customized software and undertaking unique image analysis puzzles. The core has a wide, and growing, range of imaging software at its disposal to assist with the image analysis needs of the research community.
Irradiation
X-RAD 320
JL Sheapard Gamma Irradiator
Leadership
Asamoah Bosomtwi, Ph.D. Director; MRI Imaging
Roxan Ara, M.D. Shared Resource Manager
Location and hours of operation
Hours:
Campus Address:
GCC- Small Animal Imaging Shared Resource Georgia Cancer Center AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY 1401 Laney Walker Blvd CN- 5162- MR/SPECT CN-3129- Optical/X-ray CN- 1153- SARRP
Telephone: 706-721-1449 Email: CIFSA@augusta.edu
Mailing Address:
GCC- Small Animal Imaging Shared Resource Georgia Cancer Center Augusta University 1120 15th Street, CN-3140 Augusta, GA 30912