Optimizing technical approaches of endoscopic confocal fluorescence microscopic (ECFM) combined with smart probing for small animal studies of the lung

优化内窥镜共焦荧光显微镜（ECFM）结合智能探测的技术方法，用于小动物肺部研究

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-06279
• 负责人: Lesur, Olivier
• 金额: $ 1.6万
• 依托单位: Université de Sherbrooke
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=616206
• 关键词: Optimizing; technical; approaches; endoscopic; confocal

Our research aims at developing tools to optimize the use of small animals, such as rats, in the context of a new imaging method named probe-based confocal endomicroscopy (pCLE). pCLE consists of inserting a small imaging conduit inside a subject to visualize its organs, using various kinds of light. While this method can already be used in humans, clinical studies and studies in large animals are very expensive. Hence, developing appropriate tools to conduct small animal experiments with this new imaging method will allow us to unlock its full potential. Aim 1. Our research will develop new imaging beacons that become bright when a protein is present, or when a specific cell or molecule mechanism is active. Using beacons of various sizes will enable the detecting several mechanisms at the same time. Aim 2. We will develop two methods to better locate where these beacons are activated. The first method will enable us to detect where the imaging conduit is, and will be based on a camera capable of detecting faint signal from the outside of the animal. The second method will consist of highlighting structures in the rat lung. This will be useful to better navigate within it, and identify the lung structure we are imaging. Aim 3. We will build a device capable of generating aerosols - liquid droplets - that will then be sent within a specific region of the rat lung. This device will allow us to send the beacons developed here, as well as any other molecule of interest, such as drugs. The precise delivery of agents and drugs will facilitate research in small animals. Overall, this research will improve the way we use small animal models for pCLE experiments, reduce the number of animals needed, as well as cut the cost of research in our field by using our resources more efficiently.

我们的研究旨在开发工具，在名为基于探针的共焦内窥镜检查 (pCLE) 的新成像方法的背景下，优化对小动物（例如大鼠）的使用。 pCLE 包括在受试者体内插入一个小型成像导管，利用各种光线来可视化其器官。虽然这种方法已经可以用于人类，但临床研究和大型动物研究非常昂贵。因此，开发适当的工具来使用这种新的成像方法进行小动物实验将使我们能够充分发挥其潜力。 目标 1. 我们的研究将开发新的成像信标，当蛋白质存在或特定细胞或分子机制活跃时，这些信标就会变亮。使用不同大小的信标将能够同时检测多种机制。 目标 2：我们将开发两种方法来更好地定位这些信标的激活位置。第一种方法将使我们能够检测成像导管的位置，并且基于能够检测来自动物外部的微弱信号的相机。第二种方法包括突出显示大鼠肺部的结构。这将有助于更好地在其中导航并识别我们正在成像的肺部结构。 目标 3：我们将建造一种能够产生气溶胶（液滴）的装置，然后将其发送到大鼠肺部的特定区域。该设备将使我们能够发送此处开发的信标以及任何其他感兴趣的分子，例如药物。药剂和药物的精确输送将促进小动物的研究。 总的来说，这项研究将改进我们使用小动物模型进行 pCLE 实验的方式，减少所需的动物数量，并通过更有效地利用我们的资源来降低我们领域的研究成本。