The original Facility was based on the use of an IVIS Spectrum CT (PerkinElmer), for 3D whole body optical imaging platform combining computerised tomography with optical detection. Over the last few years the IVIS instrument, based in Central Biological Services at the South Kensington Campus and managed by Izabela Glegola-Madejska, has been used extensively in multiple projects. The Facility has been used for both 2D and 3D imaging, using bioluminescent and fluorescent reporters in several projects, including: 

• Determining the health benefits of probiotics in the context of bacterial infection 

• Studying the impact of antibiotic treatments during acute enteric infections 

• Following resolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection following antimicrobial treatment  

• Development of a human challenge model for tuberculosis 

• Detection of the systemic spread of E. coli K1  

• Measurements of gut oxygenation during enteric infection  

Seven papers involving its use have been published since 2015 and it has enhanced multiple grant applications submitted from CMBI members to the MRC, the BBSRC and the Wellcome Trust. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to running the Facility (experiments, maintenance and training) Izabela Glegola-Madejska has also provided excellent technical support in animal handling, tissue preparation and histological analysis. Therefore, the remit of Izabela's position has expanded to include managing the IVIS instrument, animal handling, developing new infection models, official procedure training, breeding and rationalising project licences within the CMBI and other work involving animals.  Importantly, it includes a low dose CT scan allowing repeated high-resolution anatomical analysis of infected tissue and intra-pathogen distribution. It also gives absolute photon quantification allowing precise enumeration of infectious load. The IVI instrument enables us to carry out longitudinal studies on host-pathogen interactions and bacterial persistence, following the development of bacterial populations and host pathology over time in the same animal.

Key Publications

Berger et al. (2017)
Citrobacter rodentium subverts ATP flux and cholesterol homeostasis in intestinal
epithelial cell in vivo.  Cell Metabolism 26(5): 738-52.e6

Khara et al. (2017)
Disruption of drug-resistant biofilms using de novo designed short a-helical antimicrobial peptides with idealized facial amphiphilicity.  Acta Biomaterialia 57: 103-14

Mullineaux-Sanders et al., (2017)
Citrobacter rodentium relises on commensals for colonization of the colonic mucosa.  
Cell Reports 21(12): 3381-89

 

 

 

 

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Important Information

1. Users’ mice can only come from green rooms. No mice will be allowed into Lg 50 if they come from pinworm-infected rooms.
2. Animal depilation (if required) must be done outside of the IVIS room.
3. Users need to provide all their own consumables. Currently, there is no charge to users for the IVIS facility.

Before using IVIS

1. Users will need to modify their Home Office Project licences to include anaesthesia ,depilation, administration of imaging reagents via various routes, in vivo imaging and µCT imaging.
2. Users must have completed the X-Ray Safety Awareness Training to use the µCT modality and to be registered to work with ionising radiation.
3. Users must update their GM forms to include Lg 50 in CBS.
4. Users must check if their mice require a containment box for imaging a (requirement for Cat III microorganisms and some Cat II organisms). This should be agreed in discussion with the relevant safety people.