Experimental Imaging Unit (UNIME)

The Experimental Imaging Unit has an Albira (Bruker) microPET-CT equipment, which allows obtaining molecular images (using β-emitting isotopes, such as Fluorine-18) and structural images in small rodents. In addition, the platform has a microSPECT (Siemens), which allows the acquisition of molecular images with isotopes that emit γ radiation, such as Gallium-67 and Technetium-99.

Recently, the platform has incorporated an arterial blood sampling equipment (Swisstrace) that allows the measurement of radioactive activity in arterial blood during the acquisition of dynamic studies to carry out kinetic analyses with the images obtained. Finally, the unit has professional imaging software that allows the quantification and co-registration of multimodal images.

 

​The platform allows to acquire information regarding the biodistribution of the different isotopic tracers both in healthy animals and in experimental models of certain pathologies. As it is an in vivo technique, this platform allows studies to be carried out over time using the same animal and to carry out a follow-up of the pathology to be investigated. In this way, it is a very useful technique to study the physiology of the model and evaluate the efficacy of an experimental drug. In addition, the fusion of the multimodal images makes it possible to specify the location of the study area and assess the radioactive uptake at that level.

The Experimental Imaging Unit is responsible for the acquisition and processing of pre-clinical structural and functional images in small rodents. In a complementary way, it also allows the fusion of the images obtained through the use of imaging software.

The Unit currently provides services to different research groups, being Neurology, Pharmacy, Oncology, Cardiology and Endocrinology the areas with the greatest demand.

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