The Small Animal Imaging Facility has recently finished the installation of a new U-SPECT6-µCT-OI preclinical scanner from MILabs which allows for co-registration of single photon emission computerized tomography, high-resolution micro-CT, and optical imaging. Currently housed in the Volker Hall imaging suite, this scanner provides high-resolution molecular imaging acquisition in mice, rats, ferrets, and rabbits. The system is equipped with 3 different size multi-pinhole collimators which can be easily exchanged based on the species being imaged. Acquired SPECT, CT, and OI images from the scanner can be reconstructed and co-registered to maximize visualization and analysis of different regions of interest in the subject.

Highlight features of the USPECT include:

• Multiple isotope acquisition and peak selection for specific isotope windowing
• Dynamic in vivo SPECT imaging
• High-resolution CT scans of ex vivo and in vivo animals
• 3D optical image acquisition that can be integrated with SPECT/CT images
• The optical imaging can be used in conjunction or standalone with 11 excitation filters ranging from 500 nm to 800 nm, and 6 emission filters which range from 580 nm to 870 nm
• A 4-mouse imaging bed for high-throughput imaging
• Ability to obtain high-resolution projection data from stationary gamma cameras, resulting in sub-mm resolution images

Standardized protocols for imaging and analysis are ongoing for a wide range of diseases and applications to serve UAB researchers.