RUMIC is Moving!

The RUMIC, working with Nalls Architecture, Inc., and numerous Rutgers infrastructure and support departments has finalized floor plans for imaging laboratory space in the vivarium of the Medical School on Busch Campus. Construction is currently underway and relocation of imaging resources into the new space is schedule for Spring 2022. The move will bring imaging resources to a greater number of RU researchers.

RUMIC Receives Funding for Stem Cell Research in 2022

The RUMIC is grateful for funding ($75,000) from the Irving and Doris Gamow Stem Cell Research Institute to evaluate the effects of human cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells on corneal damage using a porcine corneal explant model. This is the third consecutive year of funding from the Institute totaling $250,000.

New Additions to Rutgers University Molecular Imaging Core

SkyScan 1272 micro/nanoCT Scanner

The Rutgers University Molecular Imaging Core (RUMIC) is excited to announce the arrival of a new SkyScan 1272 ultra high-resolution desktop 3D scanner. This micro/ nanoCT can non-destructively image biological specimens (bones/teeth/tissue/plants), geological samples, various types of materials and microelectronics with up to 209 Megapixel virtual slices. Phase-contrast enhancement enables the resolution of sample substructures within the nanometer scale (~0.35um resolution).

The SkyScan 1272 automatically optimizes numerous scanning parameters making the imaging of new and unknown samples easy, while the automatic 6-position filter changer and multi-sample carousel provides maximum flexibility. Cooling and heating stages allows CT imaging under controlled sample temperatures. The system is also equipped with SkyScan CT-Analyzer (CTAn) software used to rapidly reconstruct and analyze 3D images for morphometric and densitometric endpoints.

The scanner was acquired with NSF funding through a collaborative grant titled Acquisition of a High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Instrument for a Multi-User Imaging Facility (Award#: 1828332) awarded to Ed Yurkow (PI, RUMIC), Mehdi Javanmard (Co-PI, Electrical & Computer Engineering), Dimitrios Ntarlagiannis (Co-PI, Earth & Environmental Sciences), Maria Tomassone (Co-PI, Chemical & Biochemical Engineering) & Ning Zhang (Co-PI, Plant Biology).

Digital Spectrometer Upgrade for Preclinical MRI

The RUMIC received funds from the NIH to purchase a new generation digital spectrometer for the preclinical 1Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging system. Currently there are over 40 research groups from Rutgers and the surrounding academic community using the existing MRI system for a variety of projects involving the three-dimensional imaging of live animals, biomaterials, flow of viscous fluids as well as electronics and medical devices. The new digital spectrometer, along with an advanced workstation and controlling software, will be used to upgrade the existing analog system which will have a positive impact on essentially every project by providing the ability to measure new imaging endpoints and by improving image resolution with decreased scan time.

The new spectrometer has many new capabilities compared to the existing unit including advanced bio-gating, which will greatly improve image quality since it decreases the effect of animal movement, breathing and heartbeat on image clarity. In addition, the new spectrometer can implement improved and additional pulse sequences, which are computer commands controlling various aspects of the imaging magnet and radiofrequency coils in the MRI unit. These sequences can be used to measure imaging endpoints not possible with the existing spectrometer and will greatly improve the ability of researchers to characterize lung edema, blood flow in tumors, and brain damage induced by stroke or trauma.

The scanner was acquired with NIH funding through an S10 instrumentation grant titled Spectrometer Upgrade for a Small Animal Imaging Core MRI (Award#: 1S10OD030291-01) awarded to Ed Yurkow (PI, RUMIC)