Project: Workbench for micro-scale molecular imaging

The CO goal is to develop a unique workbench for micro-scale molecular imaging, combining new imaging technology based on a double sided silicon detector (DSSD), advanced software modules and analysis protocols. Further more to use this workbench to establish validated methods for 1) early validation of in vivo behavior of drug candidate antibodies, 2) evaluation of in situ antigen distribution in tumor and inflammation in animal models and 3) evaluation of suitable biomarkers for in vivo imaging of tumor and inflammation disease._x000D__x000D_ The new workbench will support micro-scale imaging of the distribution of radio-labeled compounds in tissue sections, i.e. digital autoradiography. This will allow research laboratories in industry and academia to improve the quality and quantity of imaging analysis for ex vivo studies, in addition to reducing the amount of test animals. We will develop a robust hardware and software solution which allows the end-user to produce scientifically significant results under a wide variety of conditions, minimizing the threshold for end-users in terms of imaging and/or radiation physics expertise._x000D__x000D_The workbench will be designed to take advantage of the unique features of the Biomolex patented DSSD technology. The new workbench will have the following advantages compared to traditional detection technologies:_x000D_- Real time, high-resolution, digital imaging of the spatial distribution of radionuclides_x000D_- Registration of the temporal distribution of registered image counts_x000D_- Energy measurement of each registered image event_x000D__x000D_ Project subgoals are:_x000D_- Development of an optimal digital autoradiography workflow or procedures: automation and throughput._x000D_- Development of algorithms for radio-nuclide identification in tissues with multiple radio-labeled compounds using emission spectra and half-life information. _x000D_- Tools to negate the effect of different spatial resolution of different radio-nuclides using experimentally determined point-spread functions._x000D_- Incorporation of co-registration of imaged sections with quantified images of sections stained for morphology or antigen distribution._x000D_- Addition of dose-distribution approximations for radio-nuclide therapy research._x000D_- Extension of antibody libraries_x000D_- Extension of biomarkers libraries _x000D__x000D_The project consortium consist of Biomolex AS, Bioinvent International AB and Lund University. Biomolex will be the project coordinator and be responsible for hardware and software developments, and system integration. Biomolex has developed DSSD technology to be used in this project._x000D__x000D_Lund University will be responsible for application development and wet lab experiments. Lund University has a newly established BioImaging Center with modern equipment for micro-PET/SPECT/CT and clinically SPECT and PET. This environment will ensure high qualified expertise._x000D__x000D_Bioinvent will be responsible for the preparation and development of various antibodies and biomarkers to be tested in an experimental setup. Their focus will be on developing highly specific antibodies that targets and distributes homogeneously in tissues of interest (eg. tumor tissue). _x000D__x000D_The workbench will enable novel assays with increased level of quality, automation and throughput. The project will identify and show the advantages of DSSD technology to better understand the mechanisms of molecular biology. It will seek to facilitate routine use of multiple radio-nuclides to produce more and better data from imaging studies through automation and software development. _x000D__x000D_The workbench will give significant improvements in terms of sensitivity, acquisition time, accuracy of quantification and image quality, in addition to real-time imaging. These features will radically improve the end-user analysis results. Anyone working in the area of developing imaging probes for use in clinical PET, SPECT scanners or on cancer drugs using radio-nuclides for the therapeutic effects, could immediately benefit from extend abilities for high-resolution ex vivo imaging provided by the workbench._x000D__x000D_General laboratory products supporting the life sciences research market, are used by over 100,000 academic and industrial laboratories worldwide. The workbench aims at targeting the pre-clinical imaging segment of this market. It is estimated that about 5,000 research hospitals and universities in addition to several thousand contract research organizations and drug development companies are involved with pre-clinical imaging research.

Acronym	WOMMI (Reference Number: 5173)
Duration	01/01/2010 - 01/07/2013
Project Topic	The CO goal is to develop a unique workbench for micro-scale molecular imaging, and to use this platform to gain a better understanding of antibodies mode of action in relation to the biology of the targeted disease
Project Results (after finalisation)	During this project we have developed a unique platform for micro scale molecular imaging and used this to increase the knowledge about in vivo behaviour of drug candidate antibodies and antigen distribution in tumor and inflammation in animal models._x000D__x000D_The new workbench that has been developed to support micro-scale imaging of the distribution of radio-labeled compounds in tissue sections (digital autoradiography). This allows research laboratories in industry and academia to improve the quality and quantification of imaging analysis for ex vivo studies, in addition to reducing the amount of test animals. We have developed a robust hardware and software solution which allows the end-user to produce scientifically significant results under a wide variety of conditions, minimizing the threshold for end-users in terms of imaging and/or radiation physics expertise.
Network	Eurostars
Call	Eurostars Cut-Off 3

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
3	BioInvent International AB	Partner	Sweden
3	Biomolex AS	Coordinator	Norway
3	Lund University	Partner	Sweden