Biological Imaging and Spectroscopy Center

Biological Imaging and Spectroscopy Center

The Biological Imaging and Spectroscopy Center is a pre-clinical imaging resource at the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute takes advantage of state-of-the-art preclinical MRI/PET instrumentation provided by MR Solutions (Guildford UK). Simultaneous acquisition of PET and MR images is a newly emerging technology that marries the exquisite sensitivity of PET with the high spatial resolution and soft tissue contrast of MRI.

Instrumentation consists of a cryogen-free 7T 24 cm bore horizontal MRI system specifically designed for molecular imaging studies of rodents and other small animals. A variety of RF coils are available for whole body or brain imaging. A two ring PET imaging system with depth of interaction (DOI) employing silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) detectors fits inside the scanner bore allowing simultaneous acquisition of PET and MRI data. The PET system has an effective axial field-of-view of 90 mm and effective trans-axial field-of-view of 70mm. Anesthesia and physiological monitoring are integral parts of the system.

There are also two NMR spectrometers available for use – the most capable systems of this kind at USC. Specifically, the 700 MHz Bruker spectrometer is an NMR system with the highest field, while the 600 MHz Agilent solid-state NMR spectrometer is the only solid-state NMR at USC.

A small animal vivarium adjacent to the scanner is accessible to house subjects undergoing longitudinal imaging. Center personnel are available for assisting with experiment planning, execution, and data analysis.

Contact Naomi Sta Maria (nstamari@usc.edu) for additional information.

BISC Rates – Pre-Clinical Imaging

The NMR Spectroscopy Center

For NMR spectroscopy, in particular protein NMR, we offer access to high-field NMR instrumentation, training, and assistance in experimental setup. The purpose of the NMR core facility is to serve users who want to answer biological questions pertaining to protein structure determination, protein dynamics, protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions. Data acquisition typically requires several hours to days.

The NMR instrumentation consists of an Agilent 600 wide-bore spectrometer set-up for solid-state samples and a cryoprobe-equipped Bruker Avance 700 spectrometer for solution-state samples. Time is available in 4 hour, 8 hour, or 24 hour blocks only. Time reservations are done informally through Ansgar Siemer for solid-state (E-mail: asiemer@usc.edu) and Tobias Ulmer for solution-state NMR (E-mail: tulmer@usc.edu).

Hourly rates for spectrometer time:

600 MHz wide-bore                                     $14/hour

700 MHz with cryoprobe                          $16/hour