AALAS Webinar - Bioimaging Part II: Equipment, Facilities, and Workflows

When:  Jun 19, 2019 from 12:00:00 PM to 01:30:00 PM (CT)

Preclinical imaging technologies are powerful because they can propel science forward with fewer animals (consistent with the 3Rs), preserve tissues for additional assays, and empower translational studies. However, integrating imaging technologies into larger organizations is complex, requires deep knowledge of multiple fields, and a multidisciplinary team. Through this two-part series of webinars, we aim to educate on the strategic advantages that imaging technologies can bring to a scientific organization: how to select equipment, design facilities, and which key stakeholders to engage to make a successful imaging enterprise: and highlight the animal science required to conduct successful experiments.

In the second webinar of the two-part series, we will explore how to design and operate a successful imaging program. We will consider the factors of throughput, animal species, fields of study, and the network of key stakeholders that are involved in making a functional operation. Key stake holders include biologists, operations staff, information technologies, facilities, regulatory bodies (IACUC, radiation safety, and EH&S), laboratory animal professionals, and clinical translational teams. First, we will characterize the workflow requirements by study design, model induction, image acquisition, and data handling. These requirements dictate the facility design and operation plans involving animal transport, personnel access, foot traffic, biosecurity and security, power and shielding, HVAC and waste gas management. We will then discuss how to assemble a team with the expertise needed for a successful program. Finally, we will focus on the computing resources required to support data structures and data storage in a bioimaging facility.