|
Day One: Tuesday, November 16
10:50-11:50am Registration, Poster Set-Up
11:50 Chairperson’s Introduction
Richard Levenson, M.D.
|
Plenary Presentation
|
|
Jointly held with Fluorescent Proteins in Drug Development
12:00 In Vivo Imaging with Green Fluorescent Proteins
Dr. Robert M. Hoffman, President, Anticancer Inc.
In vivo imaging with green fluorescent proteins has begun a revolution in research on small animals. Processes that could not be previously visualized in a living animal can now be visualized down to the single-cell level with use of fluorescent proteins. Multiple processes can be simultaneously imaged using fluorescent proteins of different colors. Applications of in vivo imaging with fluorescent proteins will allow the development of the new field of in vivo cell biology that can be applied to all types of disease models.
|
12:30 Lunch in Exhibit Hall
1:45 Chairperson's Introduction
Dr. Robert M.Hoffman
|
Plenary Presentation
|
|
Jointly held with Fluorescent Proteins in Drug Development
1:50 Multispectral Imaging for Enhanced Fluorescence Detection In Vivo
Richard Levenson, M.D., Director of Research and Development, Biomedical Systems, CRI, Inc.
Fluorescence-based detection in vivo benefits from molecular specificity, multiplexing capability, extensibility from animal models to some clinical applications, a plethora of probes, targets and labeling strategies, and relatively low equipment cost. However, especially in the visible emission range (500 to 700 nm) it may be hampered by bright tissue autofluorescence that limits achievable signal-to-noise.
Multispectral imaging, which captures images at multiple wavelengths, combined with algorithms that can
"unmix" signals, results in labeled targets appearing brightly and quantitatively displayed against a black, near-zero background. Using the CRI Maestro™ imaging system which can operate from 500 to 950 nm (emission wavelengths), we have demonstrated relatively deep detection of GFP signals from orthotopically implanted
GFP-labeled lung tumors, separation of GFP, RFP and autofluorescence signals in transgenic mice, highlighting of vascular features thanks to a mixture of fluorescence and absorbance phenomena, and quantitative detection of RFP glial tumors through intact mouse skulls, among others. The technology is fast (under a minute for both acquisition and spectral unmixing processing), has high spatial resolution (can be used for zebrafish embryos, as well as for imaging multiple mice), is reproducible, highly sensitive and easy to use.
|
2:20 Chairperson's Remarks
Richard Levenson, M.D.
Technology Innovations
2:30 Nanoparticulate Molecular Imaging Agents
Timothy J. Pelura, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer, Kereos, Inc.
Kereos, Inc. develops nanoparticulate-based, targeted therapeutics and molecular imaging agents that detect and attack cancer and cardiovascular disease more effectively than previously possible. Because
Kereos' targeted therapeutics seek out definitive biomarkers and carry powerful payloads of proven chemotherapeutics, their specificity and potency make them potentially more effective and less toxic in treating disease. Similarly, the specificity and unique capabilities of Kereos molecular imaging agents enable earlier and more precise diagnosis of disease.
3:00 Molecular Imaging with Novel Contrast Agents
Douglas A. Bakan, Ph.D., Vice President, Business Development, Alerion Biomedical, Inc.
Small animal imaging systems with the ability to generate both anatomical and functional information in a single study have long been a desire of biomedical researchers. With the development of new imaging agents and hardware configurations, considerable progress is being made toward achieving the goal of converting such molecular imaging techniques from a wish into a reality. In the areas of microCT and small animal
MRI, the combination of metabolically active contrast agents and the high spatial resolution of imaging hardware make a particularly attractive platform from which to optimize the implementation of molecular imaging in biomedical research. Recent results with novel CT and MR imaging agents for small animal imaging will be discussed.
3:30 Refreshment Break, Poster and Exhibit Viewing
4:10 Bioconjugated Quantum Dots and Nanoparticle Probes for Molecular and Cellular Imaging
Shuming Nie, Ph.D., Director of Cancer Nanotechnology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology
Quantum dots (QDs) are tiny light-emitting particles on the nanometer scale. They are emerging as a new class of biological labels with properties and applications that are not available with traditional organic dyes and fluorescent proteins. Their novel properties such as improved brightness, resistance against
photobleaching, and multicolor light emission, have opened new possibilities for molecular and cellular imaging. Multifunctional nanoparticle probes based on semiconductor QDs have recently been developed for cancer targeting and imaging in living animals. The structural design involves encapsulating luminescent QDs with an ABC triblock copolymer, and linking this amphiphilic polymer to tumor-targeting ligands and drug-delivery functionalities.
4:40 "PET-Ready" Chemistry: Molecular Imaging and the Medicinal Chemist
Derek Maclean, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, KAI Pharmaceuticals
Positron-Emissiom Tomography (PET) is a clinical imaging technique which also has wide applications in drug discovery. In particular, the ability to non-invasively determine the biodistribution of radiolabeled probes can be a powerful tool for determination of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic properties of candidate drugs. Amongst the logistical challenges in PET, the radiochemical synthesis of new compounds is technically challenging and can be rate-limiting. We will describe chemical approaches to faciltate the synthesis of novel PET probes, and strategies to integrate this technique in the process of medicinal chemistry.
5:10 A Multi-Modality Approach to Preclinical Imaging
Michael Thornton, Advanced Applications Manager, Pre-clinical Imaging, GE Healthcare
Instruments for deep tissue, in vivo imaging of small animals are now available for applications ranging from developmental biology to drug discovery. No one imaging modality has the capability to perform all imaging tasks. Optical and nuclear imaging modalities are well suited to functional imaging tasks, while CT and MR are preferred for anatomical and physiological imaging applications. By scanning an animal in multiple imaging instruments and overlaying the resulting individual volumes (appropriately) through registration, it is possible to achieve both high sensitivity and resolution. The ability to obtain functional, physiological, and anatomical data through a cascade of imaging procedures will enable current and future applications of small animal molecular imaging.
5:40 Panel Discussion with Speakers
6:15 End of Day One
|
