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Pre-clinical · Optical imaging

Spectral Instruments Imaging

See the biology glow, inside the living animal

The technology

Spectral Instruments Imaging (now part of Bruker) builds the AMI and Lago optical imaging systems — they photograph bioluminescent and fluorescent signals from inside a living mouse, with X-ray for anatomical context. The whole design is built around signal: best-in-class sensitivity and signal-to-noise (Spectral cites roughly 36% more sensitive than the leading competitor) and a patented excitation that puts far more light on target for fluorescence. High-throughput models image up to ten mice at once, and the Aura software acquires in a few clicks — powerful for an expert, but easy enough that a new user isn’t lost.

Where it’s used

  • Oncology — tumour growth, metastasis and therapy response
  • Gene expression in luciferase reporter models
  • Cell tracking and infectious-disease models
  • Longitudinal studies following the same animal over time