Optical/X-Ray Imaging Potential for Emerging and Re-Emerging Viral Infectious Disease Research

Optical/X-Ray Imaging Potential for Emerging and Re-Emerging Viral Infectious Disease Research

26 Jul 2016

This application note describes how use of optical/X-ray imaging is going to be expanded in response to the recently increased threat of viral infectious agents. Emergence and re-emergence of viral infectious agents in Africa (Ebola virus), the Americas (Zika virus and Chikungunya virus) and Asia (SARS virus), has lead to some governments announcing intentions to increase funding for research into the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics for emerging viruses. Optical imaging has provided a high-throughput means of evaluating viral, bacterial, protozoan and helminth infectious disease agents in small animals. Reporters for optical in vivo detection of infectious agents, host immune response and detection of normal animal physiology have been reported and utilized in studies to evaluate therapeutic response for candidate vaccine and drug agents, as well as in studies of host-infectious agent interactions.

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High-Throughput ScreeningHigh-throughput screening (HTS) is an automated drug discovery technique for identification of active compounds against a compound library. Use HTS readers and integrated assay preparation / analysis workstations to screen your compounds. Identify active compounds against various HTS libraries, including membranes, proteins and peptides and HTS cell lines. Find the best high-throughput screening products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Cellular PathologyCellular Pathology deals with the microscopic analysis of tissue samples and cells. Sample preparation and processing includes fixation, staining, sectioning and slide mounting, using equipment such microtomes and cryostats. In choosing immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry kits, consider chromogens, staining method, antibodies, microscopes and imaging.In Vivo Imaging Systems<i>In vivo</i> imaging systems, including pre-clinical imaging systems and medical imaging systems are used to non-invasively visualize and capture images of live animals and plants. Monitor the natural processes or diseases of your subjects using small-animal pre-clinical imaging systems, including single photon positron emission tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (micro-CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray radiography, ultrasound, fluorescence and bioluminescence imagers. Multimodal systems and software solutions are also available for correlative analysis of organ, tissue, cell, or molecular-level processes. Find the best in vivo imaging products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Animal ModelsThe use of non-human animals in experiments or behavorial observations. The research is conducted inside universities, medical schools, pharmaceutical companies, farms, defence establishments, and commercial facilities that provide animal-testing services to industry. It includes pure research such as genetics, developmental biology, behavioral studies, as well as applied research such as pharmaceutical testing in pre-clinical, before human, studies. Drug DeliveryDrug Delivery refers to dosage form, route of administration, formulations, technologies, and systems for transporting a pharmaceutical compound in the body as needed to safely achieve its desired therapeutic effect. Drug delivery is often approached via the biopharmaceutical or small molecule drug's formulation, but it may also involve medical devices or drug-device combination products. Considerations include instrumentation, software and services. Small Animal ImagingSmall animal imaging is the visualization of living animals, most commonly mice and rats, for research purposes. This non-invasive technique is vital for long-term studies into drugs effects, as well as small animal anatomy and physiology.EbolaThe Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa is the largest in history. Rapid diagnostic tests for this hemorrhagic fever are desperately needed, and companies are working hard to develop new point-of-care, RT-PCR and automated desktop Ebola kits and systems.AntimicrobialsHigh ThroughputHigh throughput experiments allow the simultaneous processing of several samples. This parallelization reduces the cost per experiment and increases reproducibility and output volume of data.Microbial DetectionMicrobial detection is crucial for identifying and quantifying bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms. This process is essential for food safety, environmental monitoring, clinical diagnostics, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Explore the best microbial detection tools in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Live Cell ImagingLive cell imaging is the study of living cells using microscopes and high-content imaging systems. This technique provides in-depth insight into fast and complex biological processes, by allowing dynamic imaging of living cells instead of acquiring an individual image at a single point in time.VirusesViruses are microscopic pathogens that require a host cell to replicate. Understanding their structure, replication cycle, and impact on the immune system is crucial in developing effective treatments, vaccines, and diagnostic methods. Research continues to focus on emerging viral diseases and antiviral drug discovery. Explore solutions for virus research, detection, and treatment in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check customer reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Vaccine DevelopmentVaccine development focuses on creating immunizations to protect against infectious diseases. The process involves identifying antigens, developing and testing vaccine efficacy, and ensuring safety through preclinical testing and multiple clinical trial phases. Scientists use various approaches, including weakened or inactivated viruses, protein subunits, or mRNA. Advanced platforms and rapid diagnostic tools aid in vaccine research and testing. Explore vaccine development solutions in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, read reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers. TherapeuticsTherapeutics are treatments designed to alleviate or cure diseases. These include pharmaceuticals, biologics, and gene therapies, which work by targeting specific disease mechanisms. Advances in personalized medicine and biologics offer new hope for patients with conditions that were previously difficult to treat. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find therapeutic solutions for various diseases; compare products, check user reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.