CLS’ new Toolkit aims to boost preclinical research

12-Sep-2010 - Last updated on 13-Sep-2010 at 12:16 GMT

Living Image Multi-Modality Software Module and Mouse Imaging shuttle will widen the understanding of animal biology in preclinical research, say Caliper Life Sciences.

The co-registration toolkit, which consists of the new Living Image Multi-Modality Software Module and the Mouse Imaging Shuttle, is designed for integration of data from Caliper’s IVIS optical imaging systems, with data from Caliper’s Quantum FX microCT, and data from other microCT, MRI, PET and SPECT instruments.

The company say there is no need for biologists to use third-party software as Living Image “simplifies even the most advanced optical imaging protocol to facilitate success the first time and every time,” enabling accurate quantitative data measurements.

Co-registration allows image layering

Using the toolkit, researchers canlayer images from a variety of imaging modalities, enabling “a more complete view of disease progression to help understand a compound’s therapeutic potential sooner and progress drug candidates to clinical trials faster,” said Kevin Hrusovsky, President and CEO of Caliper Life Sciences,adding that: “Caliper’s in vivo imaging solutions serve as a bridge between the laboratory and the clinic.”

Once data has been imported from microCT, MRI, PET and SPECT into the Living Image software, researchers can combine quantitative 3D fluorescence (FLIT4) and bioluminescence (DLIT4) images from an IVIS Spectrum optical imaging system, which enables cell number determination of a fluorochrome.

The firm claim the addition of a Mouse Imaging Shuttle, which comes in various sizes to accommodate different mice models, simplifies the transferral of subjects from one imaging platform to another by maintaining the position.

According to Caliper, the device was designed to “allow slight compression to enhance optical signals in deep tissue,” without harming the subject.

Hrusovsky believes “Caliper is leading the market,” by generating high quality 3D optical data and microCT images and integrating images across a variety of platforms. “This new co-registration toolkit is another component of our expansion strategy to address the $500m preclinical imaging market,” he said.