Dear Rogel Cancer Center Members,

With the new year in our sights, it is easy to begin looking ahead to the things we will set out to do in 2024. While forward thinking is crucial in our efforts as researchers, it is also beneficial to reflect on the things we accomplished in 2023.

After successfully competing for our Cancer Center Support Grant renewal, we added four new Shared Resources to our growing list: Liquid Biopsy and Epigenetics & Epigenomics (developing); and Single Cell Spatial Analysis and Proteomics (full shared resources). This brings our current total to 13.

Together, our shared resources have served hundreds of investigators. They have tested and adopted new technologies, conducted workshops and seminars, and have contributed to numerous grant submissions and publications. I am thankful for the dedication and expertise of our faculty and staff and for the opportunity to support the innovative research projects of our Rogel members.

As we move into the holiday season many of our shared resources have modified hours of operation. Please reach out directly if you have questions about staff or instrument availability during this time.  We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season and we look forward to collaborating with you in the coming year. 

Sincerely,

Evan T. Keller, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Associate Director for Shared Resources

Rogel Cancer Center

The Preclinical Molecular Imaging Shared Resource (PMI-SR) supports multimodal imaging-centric research and state-of-the-art imaging capabilities and scientific expertise.

Technologies available include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); Bioluminescence Imaging (BLI); Fluorescence Imaging (FLI); Computed Tomography (CT); and Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

The newest technology added to the PMI-SR is the result of a successful NIH S10 application. The NHD Preclinical Scanner is a 4DMedical multimodal scanner capable of acquiring lung with high-resolution, high-contrast structural detail and functional ventilation-perfusion mismatch without the need for contrast agents. Investigators conducting studies in rodent models specific to lung tumors or the effects of lung irradiation serve to benefit from employing this safe, quick, and inexpensive tool that provides high-resolution images in addition to detailed regional information on lung function.

To schedule a consultation, request training, or to schedule instrument time please contact PMI-SR Director Brian D. Ross, Ph.D. (bdross@umich.edu), or facility manager Amanda Fair (awelton@umich.edu). 

A recent manuscript by Choi et al. from lab of Zhen Xu, Ph.D. (DT) conducted a preclinical investigation into the use of histotripsy, a non-surgical approach to ablating tissue in vivo.

Histotripsy is the process of applying microsecond-length high-pressure ultrasound pulses resulting in cavitation. In the present study, various histotripsy dosages were administered to murine models of primary and metastatic brain cancer and lung metastasis.

Investigators used the 7T MRI and bioluminescence imaging systems available within the Preclinical Molecular Imaging Shared Resource to monitor post-transplantation tumor growth and for the evaluation of post-treatment tumor damage, associated bleeding, and edema. Results suggest that a lower number of histotripsy pulses and fewer focal locations can kill a substantial number of tumor cells while minimizing bleeding and cellular injury.

Authors also credit the Tissue & Molecular Pathology Shared Resource for tissue embedding and H&E staining.

Read the full manuscript: Transcranial histotripsy parameter study in primary and metastatic murine brain tumor models.