In Vivo Imaging Technology Integrates Fluorescence, Bioluminescence, and X-Ray Modalities

New technology combines highly sensitive bioluminescence and fluorescence molecular optical imaging with the anatomic accuracy of digital X-ray. Integrating these three imaging modalities provides researchers with additional capabilities to explore the molecular basis of disease and determine the response to drug therapies.

Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. (Hopkinton, MA, USA), a provider of tools and services for drug discovery and life sciences research, introduced the IVIS Lumina XR in vivo imaging system, the latest addition to the IVIS product range. Caliper's noninvasive IVIS preclinical molecular optical imaging technology is an innovative research tool that has greatly advanced both basic scientific research as well as the novel breakthrough research necessary to develop safe new drugs.

To date, peer-reviewed publications show that IVIS technology has aided the discovery and development of five U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapies and more than nine drug compounds in development. The introduction of the Lumina XR system takes this innovation one step further by combining optical fluorescent and bioluminescent images of biologic activity with coregistered digital X-ray images, enhancing the anatomical context of the optical molecular signals. For example, with X-ray coregistration the researcher can view a detailed image of the skeleton, or even certain soft tissues, and can use those images as a reference point when using bioluminescence to more precisely locate a tumor or infection site in an animal.

"Caliper's bioluminescent and fluorescent IVIS imaging systems are well-recognized by researchers at top universities and pharmaceutical companies as the leading preclinical in vivo imaging solution," said Kevin Hrusovsky, president and chief executive officer, Caliper Life Sciences. "The demand for advanced preclinical imaging technologies continues to increase, and Caliper is meeting that demand by offering a multimodality solution that will enhance current research applications and further enable newer areas of research, including bone disease and arthritis. We remain committed to providing scientists with valuable tools that translate experimentation into viable clinical options."

All IVIS systems are optically capable of imaging the full spectrum of fluorescent and bioluminescent reporters and dyes, from green to near infrared, with quantitative results and high performance spectral unmixing, to extract maximum information from animal models. Lumina XR can incorporate the premium animal-handling features of Caliper's other IVIS imaging systems, such as a heated stage, gas anesthesia connections, and a syringe injection system for simultaneous compound administration. In addition to mice, the Lumina XR can accommodate Petri dishes or microtiter plates for in vitro imaging. Similar to Caliper's other IVIS imaging systems, the Lumina XR will serve a wide array of therapeutic areas, including cancer research, infectious disease, inflammation, metabolic disease, neurology, cardiovascular disease, toxicology, and other applications.

Caliper Life Sciences is a provider of technologies enabling researchers in the life sciences industry to create life-saving and enhancing medicines and diagnostic tests more quickly and efficiently. Caliper's range of products includes microfluidics, lab automation and liquid handling, optical imaging technologies, and discovery and development outsourcing solutions.

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