SKYSCAN 1276 CMOS in vivo microCT - The Small Animal Imaging Facility is a core research resource at the MaineHealth Institute for Research (formerly Maine Medical Center Research Institute). Currently, it consists of a magnetic resonance imager (MRI), a high-resolution ultrasound system, and a microcomputed tomography (microCT) system. The MRI was acquired in 2005, is at the end of its serviceable life and currently being decomissioned, and the Scanco vivaCT40, which was acquired in 2008, has also reached the end of its serviceable life. We propose to merge the imaging services we provide using a new state-of-the-art, high resolution, preclinical microCT system. This proposal requests funds to replace our Scanco vivaCT40 microCT system with a Bruker SkyScan1276 CMOS microCT. Our faculty have strong, NIH-funded programs and centers that rely on high resolution imaging of calcified and soft tissues, with corresponding quantitative analysis. Since the development of our Small Animal Imaging Facility, we have supported all of our institutional investigators, and developed a wide user-base of external clients who utilize our imaging services. Our microCT currently supports projects from 15 major and 3 minor users, with a total of 8 R01 funded projects and 2 COBRE supported junior investigators. In addition, we provide significant support to 3 junior investigators, who recently received their first R01 grants. We have attracted external clients within New England and other states. In particular, the University of Vermont and their clinical and translational research program strongly supports this proposal due to the lack of microCT services in their local area. The Bruker SkyScan1276 CMOS is a desktop, pre-clinical microCT system with a resolution of 3µm and scan speeds as fast as 3.9 seconds. It provides a field of view with a length of up to 210mm to allow whole mouse and small rat imaging. The system is versatile for ex vivo specimen bone imaging and in vivo imaging due to the sliding scale adjustment of the peak energy from 40-100kV. Additional filter sets allow fine tuning of the energy level to very low dose settings. The 3D.Suite imaging software is state-of-the-art, with sophisticated and user friendly automated image analysis. This software provides easy image adjustments without the need to write new image analysis algorithm, as is needed on the comparable new Scanco system. The institutional support for our Small Animal Imaging core has been very strong over the last almost two decades with service contracts and personnel costs covered by MaineHealth and this support will continue to provide operational funds for this new microCT system. We have assembled a strong advisory team with external and internal members to assist with scientific as well as administrative core related issues. In summary, we request funds to purchase a Bruker SkyScan1276 CMOS system to maintain high level imaging services to our clients that supports NIH level funding, enables grant renewal and allows this core facility to remain competitive.
