title: New device for real-time bioluminescence imaging in moving rodents.
abstract: Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) allows detection of biological functions in genetically modified cells, bacteria, or animals expressing a luciferase (i.e., firefly, Renilla, or aequorin). Given the high sensitivity and minimal toxicity of BLI, in vivo studies on molecular events can be performed noninvasively in living rodents. To date, detection of bioluminescence in living animals has required long exposure times that are incompatible with studies on dynamic signaling pathways or nonanaesthetised freely moving animals. Here we develop an imaging system that allows: 1. bioluminescence to be recorded at a rate of 25 images/s using a third generation intensified charge-coupled device (CCD) camera running in a photon counting mode, and 2. coregistration of a video image from a second CCD camera under infrared lighting. The sensitivity of this instrument permits studies with subsecond temporal resolution in nonanaesthetized and unrestrained mice expressing firefly luciferase and imaging of calcium signaling in transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) aequorin. This imaging system enables studies on signal transduction, tumor growth, gene expression, or infectious processes in nonanaesthetized and freely moving animals.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Imagerie Moléculaire Expérimentale, SHFJ, I2BM, CEA, Inserm U 803 4 place Leclerc, 91400 Orsay, France.
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roncali
authors.forename: Mickael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Savinaud
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Levrey
authors.forename: Kelly L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maitrejean
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tavitian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003199:Computer Systems; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008163:Luminescent Measurements / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D009068:Movement; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D051598:Whole Body Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D008164:Luminescent Proteins