Abstract: A graphical user interface is provided which allows the user to perform numerous operations suitable for analysis of in-vivo images within a single display screen or a single window. Using the the-vivo GUI, the user may create and manipulate analysis tools such as rectangle and ellipse tools to define regions of interest and perform various measurements on an in-vivo image. In addition, the GUI allows the user to store measurement results in a dated electronic notebook, display testing information, manipulate image presentation and print while maintaining view of the image.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) representation of the distribution of fluorescent probes inside a sample, such as a mammal. Using a) fluorescent light emission data from one or more images, b) a surface representation of the mammal, and c) computer-implemented photon propagation models, the systems and methods produce a 3D representation of the fluorescent probe distribution in the mammal. The distribution may indicate—in 3D—the location, size, and/or brightness or concentration of one or more fluorescent probes in the mammal.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved anesthesia delivery systems that consistently and reliably deliver anesthesia gas to multiple gas outlets. The systems are particularly useful for anesthetizing multiple mammals and living specimens to be imaged by a low-light level imaging system. The anesthesia delivery systems are suitable for use with conventional oxygen sources, and convert the high pressures associated with a conventional oxygen source to lower pressures suitable for use with small mammals and suitable for combination with an anesthesia gas at low flow rates. The systems include an anesthesia gas source that combines anesthesia gas with the oxygen. The combination of anesthesia gas and oxygen is supplied to one or more multiple outlets.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved anesthesia delivery systems that consistently and reliably deliver anesthesia gas to multiple gas outlets. The systems are particularly useful for anesthetizing multiple mammals and living specimens to be imaged by a low-light level imaging system. The anesthesia delivery systems are suitable for use with conventional oxygen sources, and convert the high pressures associated with a conventional oxygen source to lower pressures suitable for use with small mammals and suitable for combination with an anesthesia gas at low flow rates. The systems include an anesthesia gas source that combines anesthesia gas with the oxygen. The combination of anesthesia gas and oxygen is supplied to one or more multiple outlets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel transcription control elements, including promoters, derived from angiogenesis-related genes, particularly the mouse VEGF gene, the mouse VEGFR-2 receptor gene, and the mouse Tie2 gene. Also disclosed are isolated polynucleotides comprising such promoters, as well as nucleic acid constructs comprising such promoters operatively linked to genes encoding a gene product, such as, a reporter, a protein, polypeptide, hormone, ribozyme, or antisense RNA, and to recombinant cells and transgenic animals comprising such nucleic acid constructs. The present invention further relates to screening methods using those recombinant cells and transgenic animals, particularly methods of screening for therapeutic compounds that modulate tumorigenesis and angiogenesis.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides systems and methods for multi-modal imaging with light and a second form of imaging. Light imaging involves the capture of low intensity light from a light-emitting object. A camera obtains a two-dimensional spatial distribution of the light emitted from the surface of the subject. Software operated by a computer in communication with the camera may then convert two-dimensional spatial distribution data from one or more images into a three-dimensional spatial representation. The second imaging mode may include any imaging technique that compliments light imaging. Examples include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer topography (CT). An object handling system moves the object to be imaged between the light imaging system and the second imaging system, and is configured to interface with each system.

Abstract: A macroscopic fluorescence illumination assembly is provided for use with an a imaging apparatus with a light-tight imaging compartment. The imaging apparatus includes an interior wall defining a view port extending into the imaging compartment to enable viewing of a specimen contained therein. The illumination assembly includes a specimen support surface sized and dimensioned for receipt in the imaging compartment, and oriented to face toward the view port of the imaging apparatus. The support surface is substantially opaque and defines a window portion that enables the passage of light there through. The window portion is selectively sized and dimensioned such that the specimen, when supported atop the support surface, can be positioned and seated over the window portion in a manner forming a light-tight seal substantially there between.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel transcription control elements derived from a mouse eosinophil peroxidase gene. Such transcription control elements may comprise isolated polynucleotides, expression cassettes, vectors, recombinant cells, and transgenic animals, as described herein.

Abstract: The invention describes systems and methods to obtain and present imaging data in absolute units. The systems and methods convert relative image data produced by a camera to absolute light intensity data using a compensation factor. The compensation factor accommodates for hardware and specific imaging conditions in the imaging system that variably affect camera output. The present invention determines the compensation factor based on assessing the output of the camera against a known light source for a specific set of imaging conditions in the imaging system. The compensation factor is then stored in memory corresponding to the specific set of imaging conditions. Upon subsequent imaging with the set of imaging conditions, the corresponding compensation factor is called from memory and applied to the camera output. A compensation factor may be determined and stored for each hardware state and imaging condition available to the imaging system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for taking images of a sample. The sample is placed in an imaging box comprising a moveable stage that allows images of the sample to be taken from various positions and angles within the imaging box. The images are taken by a camera and sent to a processor. Structured light images obtained from one or more views within the imaging box may be used to build a structured light representations of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of introducing a polynucleotide into a target cell, wherein the method employs a light generating protein coding sequence acting as a reporter. An important advantage of the methods described herein is that drug resistant target cells or target cells having no useful auxotrophic markers can be effectively transformed. The present invention also includes transformed cells produced by the methods described herein. Also described are light generating protein coding sequence modifications, a variety of vectors, and methods of using the transformed cells of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bacterial luciferase transposon cassettes suitable for conferring bioluminescence properties on a Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and other organisms of interest. The invention further includes cells transformed with vectors carrying the transposon cassettes, cells whose genomes have been modified by introduction of such cassettes, and methods of making and using such transposon cassettes, transposon cassette vectors, and cells containing the transposons.

Abstract: Methods for selecting a candidate drug for treating sepsis are disclosed. The methods involve labeling a sepsis-causing pathogen with a reporter and monitoring the progress of infection by detecting levels of the reporter in animals treated with test compounds or drugs. The comparisons may be made between experimental and control animals, as well as within a single animal or group of animals. Also disclosed is a method for predicting an expected time of death of an experimental animal in a model system of sepsis using data generated in the initial part of the experiment.

Abstract: An imaging box assembly is provided for capturing an image of a sample. The imaging box assembly includes a body having an interior cavity for receiving the sample, and having a front portion defining an opening into the cavity. The body further includes a view port enabling viewing of the sample contained in the interior cavity. A door is mounted to the body that is movable between an opened condition, enabling access to the interior cavity through the cavity opening, and a closed condition, positioning a door rear portion substantially adjacent the body front portion to prevent access through the cavity opening. The box assembly further includes a moveable stage disposed in the cavity interior that supports the sample. The moveable stage is adapted to selectively position the sample at a selected one of a plurality of positions relative to the view hole.

Abstract: A macroscopic fluorescence illumination assembly is provided for use with an imaging apparatus with a light-tight imaging compartment. The imaging apparatus includes an interior wall defining a view port extending into the imaging compartment to enable viewing of a specimen contained therein. The illumination assembly includes a specimen support surface sized and dimensioned for receipt in the imaging compartment, and oriented to face toward the view port of the imaging apparatus. The support surface is substantially opaque and defines a window portion that enables the passage of light there through. The window portion is selectively sized and dimensioned such that the specimen, when supported atop the support surface, can be positioned and seated over the window portion in a manner forming a light-tight seal substantially there between.

Abstract: The invention describes systems and methods for calibrating a low-level light imaging system. Techniques described herein employ a light calibration device that is placed within a low level light imaging box to calibrate the system and its constituent components such as the camera and processing system. The calibration device comprises an array of low-power light supplies each having a known emission. By taking an image of each low-power light supply, and comparing the processed result with the known emission, the accuracy of the imaging system and its absolute imaging characteristics may be assessed and verified.

Abstract: An improved imaging apparatus is disclosed that allows a user to perform numerous imaging operations. The imaging apparatus may include one or more improvements to imaging box design to improve illumination control within the imaging box, such as improved door seal arrangements, improved door closing mechanisms, and improved light seals. The present invention may also include one or more improvements to imaging apparatus design to facilitate image capture, such as: an automated filter select device, a moveable stage, automated focus control, f-stop adjustment and stage height, and improved internal illumination for capturing photographic images.

Abstract: A fluorescence imaging assembly including an imaging apparatus having an enclosure wall defining a view port into a light-tight imaging compartment thereof. A specimen platform is positioned in the imaging compartment having a support surface facing toward the view port. An illumination assembly includes a light source and a frame disposed in the imaging compartment. The illumination assembly is positioned proximate to and substantially peripherally encircling the view port. A bundle of fiber optic strands extends into the imaging compartment wherein proximal ends of the strands are in optical communication with the light source and distal ends thereof terminate at the frame to emit a conical directional beam of light onto the specimen platform. The distal ends of the fiber optic strands are sufficiently spaced peripherally about the view port such that the plurality of directional beams collectively illuminate the specimen platform in a substantially uniform manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel promoters, including transcription regulator regions, for the mouse VEGFR-2 receptor, isolated polynucleotides comprising such promoters, nucleic acid constructs comprising such promoters operatively linked to genes encoding a gene product, such as, a reporter, a protein, polypeptide, hormone, ribozyme, or antisense RNA, recombinant cells comprising such nucleic acid constructs, screening for therapeutic drugs using such cells (e.g., screening for compounds that modulate VEGFR-2-mediated angiogenesis), and endothelial tissue-specific gene expression using these novel promoter sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel transcription control elements derived from a mouse eosinophil peroxidase gene. The novel transcription control elements described in the disclosure may comprise isolated polynucleotides, expression cassettes, vectors, recombinant cells, and transgenic animals.