Abstract: A torsional support apparatus is disclosed for craniocaudal rotation of test animals to enable multiple-view imaging. The animal is supported in a U-shaped loop of optically transparent material and the loop is moved to apply torsion to the animal to rotate it about its craniocaudal axis. Methods of imaging also are disclosed that use the torsional support technique.

Abstract: A combination of nanoparticles is disclosed comprised of amine functionalized polyethylene glycol in which one particle with a fluorescent donor dye having one wavelength excitation maximum and at least one additional particle with a second fluorescent dye having a second, higher wavelength excitation maximum, the particles having the same or different biomolecule targeting moieties bound to their external surfaces.

Abstract: A torsional support apparatus is disclosed for craniocaudal rotation of test animals to enable multiple-view imaging. The animal is supported in a U-shaped loop of optically transparent material and the loop is moved to apply torsion to the animal to rotate it about its craniocaudal axis. Methods of imaging also are disclosed that use the torsional support technique.

Abstract: Non-viral vectors for delivering agents to a site within the body of an animal comprise a biocompatible nanoparticle conjugated to an avidin/biotin complex and a water soluble linear polymer comprising multiple binding sites. The agents to be delivered are conjugated to each of the multiple binding sites, thereby increasing the loading capacity of the system. Where the agents comprise siRNA, each biotin/avidin complex may carry greater than four siRNA. The biocompatible nanoparticle may also comprise a fluorescent dye for in vivo imaging.

Abstract: A method for aggregating a substance in a localized region within a body of an animal comprises applying a vibration pattern that causes aggregation of the substance to the localized region within the body of the animal, introducing the substance and aggregating the substance in the localized region based upon application of the vibration pattern. The substance, which may be a drug, fluorescent dye, conjugate of the two or a smart probe, may aggregate to bone, specifically to the lumbar region of the spine. About two to about four times more substance may aggregate in the localized region of the body relative to a control where no vibration pattern is applied.

Abstract: A method for assessing effects on growth of skeletal members comprises preparing a culture comprising a skeletal member and a substance whose effect on growth of the skeletal member is to be determined and capturing images of the skeletal member at selected time intervals without terminating growth. The skeletal member may be fully articulated and the substance whose effect on growth is to be determined may be labeled with a marker and tracked over time. The methods of the invention may be used to assess effects on growth through the positioning of the substance in the skeletal member and for drug discovery.

Abstract: Non-viral vectors for delivering agents to a site within the body of an animal comprise a biocompatible nanoparticle conjugated to an avidin/biotin complex and a water soluble linear polymer comprising multiple binding sites. The agents to be delivered are conjugated to each of the multiple binding sites, thereby increasing the loading capacity of the system. Where the agents comprise siRNA, each biotin/avidin complex may carry greater than four siRNA. The biocompatible nanoparticle may also comprise a fluorescent dye for in vivo imaging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring long bone density of small animals. A phosphor screen or plate is provided of a type that transduces incident ionizing radiation to emitted light. A small animal is positioned before the phosphor screen or plate and exposed to soft X-radiation having an energy level in the range of 11 to 16 Kev. Light emitted by the phosphor screen or plate is captured using a digital camera and a digital X-ray image is prepared of a long bone of the animal. The X-ray image is transformed into an X-ray density image and a region of interest is defined on the long bone in the X-ray density image. At least one row of pixels is scanned within the region of interest of the X-ray density image. A nonlinear least squares analysis of data obtained from the scanning step is conducted using a cylindrical model for the long bone within the region of interest.

Abstract: A torsional support apparatus is disclosed for craniocaudal rotation of test animals to enable multiple-view imaging. The animal is supported in a U-shaped loop of optically transparent material and the loop is moved to apply torsion to the animal to rotate it about its craniocaudal axis. Methods of imaging also are disclosed that use the torsional support technique.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for transdermal delivery to an animal or human of biological cargo-laden nanoparticles. The particles may include multimodal optical molecular imaging probes. The particles may be delivered by providing them in a form that can be absorbed through the skin and applying them to the skin of an animal or human. The application may be accomplished using biological cargo-laden nanoparticles in a device attachable to the skin. The device may be attached directly to the skin by a device containing a vasodilating agent or agents, or micro needles, or multi-layer time release material. The biological cargo-laden nanoparticles may comprise drugs, vaccines, bio-pharmaceuticals, imaging contrast agents, multimodal imaging contrast agents, biomolecules, or anti-infectives. The device may include a first plurality of different types of biological cargo-laden nanoparticles located in a corresponding second plurality of separate time release layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing an optical molecular image of one or more internal regions of interest of a small animal having a cranio-caudal axis. The apparatus may include a support member for the animal in an immobilized state; an endoscope for insertion into and withdrawal from the body of the animal to allow the endoscope to be positioned selectively proximate the internal regions of interest within the body; a light source connected to the endoscope to provide illumination within the body at the regions of interest; a mechanism for rotating the animal about its cranio-caudal axis to enable image capture from different angles; and a device for capturing images of the one or more internal regions of interest from the different angles, due to light emitted from the one or more internal regions of interest through an external surface of the body in response to illumination from the light source. A corresponding method is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for (A) adjusting the physical, spatial orientation of an immobilized subject in a multi-modal imaging system so as substantially to reproduce or match the physical, spatial orientation of a reference subject, wherein the reference subject is either (a) the same or (b) a different subject, either (1) during a prior imaging session for a later imaging session, or, in the case where a plurality of subjects is imaged in one imaging session, (2) during a contemporaneous imaging session; and (B) adjusting the virtual, spatial orientation of an immobilized subject in a set of multi-modal images.

Abstract: A method is taught that provides for transmucosal delivery of a biological cargo and optical molecular imaging probes to a subject animal or human. At least one biological cargo-laden nanoparticle imaging probe is provided in a form that will be absorbed via mucosal tissue. The biological cargo-laden nanoparticle imaging probe is delivered to the mucosal tissue of the animal or human. The method further may include steps of providing a support member adapted to receive the subject in an immobilized state; positioning the subject on the support member; and after the delivering of the imaging probe, imaging the immobilized subject using a multimodal imaging system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring long bone density of small animals. A phosphor screen or plate is provided of a type that transduces incident ionizing radiation to emitted light. A small animal is positioned before the phosphor screen or plate and exposed to soft X-radiation having an energy level in the range of 11 to 16 Kev. Light emitted by the phosphor screen or plate is captured using a digital camera and a digital X-ray image is prepared of a long bone of the animal. The X-ray image is transformed into an X-ray density image and a region of interest is defined on the long bone in the X-ray density image. At least one row of pixels is scanned within the region of interest of the X-ray density image. A nonlinear least squares analysis of data obtained from the scanning step is conducted using a cylindrical model for the long bone within the region of interest.

Abstract: A combination of nanoparticles is disclosed comprised of amine functionalized polyethylene glycol in which one particle with a fluorescent donor dye having one wavelength excitation maximum and at least one additional particle with a second fluorescent dye having a second, higher wavelength excitation maximum, the particles having the same or different biomolecule targeting moieties bound to their external surfaces.