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 Biological Resource Imaging Laboratory (BRIL) is a unit of the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre located in the basement of the Lowy Cancer Research Centre and operating in conjuction with the UNSW Biological Resources animal facility. BRIL is focused on providing state-of-the-art in vivo imaging for small research animals. The facility offers researchers with access to a number of imaging systems including clinically relevant technologies such as micro-computed tomography (CT) scanning, Positron Emission Spectroscopy (PET) scanning, ultrasound imaging and x-ray. Research focused instruments such as optical imaging systems for detection of bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging of live animals and intravital microscopy are also available in the facility. A second intravital microscope and an endoscope were added in 2010. A 20cm bore 9.4 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging system was installed in 2011. This system will provide researchers with access to high resolution MR imaging for small animals, clinical tissues and materials. All instruments are co-localised in a single facility, permitting multimodality imaging within a single experiment. With the MRI, the facility will be the best equipped of its kind in Australia and competitive with any in the world, placing UNSW at the forefront of biomedical imaging. Training and expertise in the use of instruments and related animal support is provided by BRIL staff. The BRIL currently houses or has purchased the following instruments:
Additionally, the facility provides infrastructure and expertise for animal anaesthesia, physiological monitoring and support during imaging and related procedures. BRIL operates closely with the Biomedical Imaging Facility to provide a comprehensive suite of imaging capabilities for researchers across campus. |
