Preclinical Imaging Facility
The IOR Preclinical Imaging Facility (PIF) is a core facility that provides support to researchers working with preclinical small-animal models. The intent is to offer a range of technologies and equipment to perform non-invasive longitudinal imaging studies.
The PIF is embedded within the IRB Comparative Biology Facility and provides support to researchers working with small-animal models. Its main objective is to develop and make available to the scientific community in Ticino non-invasive imaging technologies to visualize physiological and pathological processes in vivo in small-animal models.
The PIF also supports basic research and translational studies aimed at developing new high-end in vivo imaging approaches that might improve data quality and reproducibility, while minimizing the impact on animal well-being and reducing the number of animals per individual study.
Staff
Gianluca Civenni
Head of Preclinical Imaging Facility
Equipment
The Facility is equipped with two in-vivo optical imaging systems and an advanced Ultra High Frequency ultrasound for small-animals.
The Facility provide access to an in vivo luminescence and fluorescence imaging system (IVIS Spectrum, PerkinElmer) and a Newton FT500 (Witec) with all the accessory equipment and laboratory space for small-animal studies in the spf facility. The Facility is also equipped with a novel small-animal echography system, Vevo 3100 (Fujifilm Visualsonic).
Services
The Facility provides support for preclinical imaging primarily to researchers at the IOR, IRB, and other institutes in Ticino. In addition, PIF personnel provide all users with training on animal handling, imaging, and data analysis, along with consulting on experimental plans.
Facility Acknowledgement
Please acknowledge the Preclinical Imaging Facility in any scientific publication or oral presentation for which data was generated with the use of our equipment, our services, or with the help of our staff’s expertise.
The following statement can be used to acknowledge our facility: In vivo imaging was performed at the IOR Preclinical Imaging Facility.
To demonstrate that the equipment in the Facility is used to generate publishable results, please send us a copy of your publication that includes data obtained from the use of our facility.
Co-authorship
If a member of the Facility has made a significant intellectual contribution to your publication beyond routine sample analysis, you should consider co-authorship.
