Platforms

In vivo technical platform
& imaging facilities

Voxcan is strong of 14 years of experience in providing high-resolution preclinical imaging services, with whole animal anatomical (CT, micro-CT) and functional imaging (bioluminescence and fluorescence tomography).

 

We have the capacity to combine several imaging techniques to monitor the pathological process (tumor/infection kinetics), compound efficacy as well as compound biodistribution and colocalization with the pathology, in the same animals over time.

Animal housing and facilities

Voxcan displays a total area of 400m² accredited animal facilities, with segregated BSL-2 and BSL-3 facilities. We have the capacity to house a wide range of small species:

  • Rodents: mice, rats, including cotton rats
  • Guinea pigs
  • Rabbits (lagomorphs)
  • Ferrets
  • Poultries

Rodents are hosted in irradiated single-use cages on ventilated racks, maintaining SOPF or SPF health status. Other species are housed in parks, according to each species space and social housing needs.

We also have experience with working with large species. In this case, large animals are housed by our dedicated partners and transported to Voxcan for on-site imaging analysis.

The modern design of Voxcan’s facilities, work process, controlled environment and health status monitoring system ensures consistency while maintaining high standards of animal welfare.

Anatomical imaging

CT & µ-CT

X-ray computed tomography (CT) gives 3-dimensional images of naturally dense tissues or soft tissues following injection of a contrast agent.

Such acquisitions provide 3D information on anatomical characteristics (length, surface, volume, curvature, thickness, density…) and avoid the bias of analyzing only 2D single slices.

At Voxcan, we operate 3 types of CT scans on-site.

  • In vivo CT scan for large species: 3D acquisitions on live animals from rabbits to 200 kg-pigs (CT scan ring diameter of 70 cm), with minimum 180 µm resolution and minimum 310 µm slice thickness.
  • In vivo µ-CT scan for small species: 3D acquisitions on live rodents from mice to guinea pigs (µ-CT scan ring diameter of 80 mm), with 50 µm resolution, 50 µm slice thickness and acquisition times from 2 to 10 min.
  • Ex vivo µ-CT scan for isolated tissues: with 30 to 6 µm resolution.

Functional imaging

 

Bioluminescence & Fluorescence Tomography

Optical molecular imaging follows biochemical processes in vivo, in whole live animals.

At Voxcan, we operate 3 optical imaging systems (IVIS®-Spectrum, PerkinElmer) for 2D & 3D bioluminescence and fluorescence in vivo imaging: 1 system in our BSL-2 facilities; 1 system in our BSL-3 facilities; and 1 system combining 2D & 3D bioluminescence/fluorescence imaging with X-ray radiography.

  • Bioluminescence imaging enables to follow compound efficacy in Cancer or Infectious diseases models, by using cancer cell lines or infectious strains (viruses, bacteria) that express luciferase. This gives the opportunity to study whether a compound reduces tumor burden or bacterial/viral load in a longitudinal manner and if it can even cure/reverse the pathological process.
  • Fluorescence imaging can be used to follow compound biodistribution in whole live animals. This imaging technique is sufficiently sensitive on small species (small absorption and diffusion rates) and most labeling protocols remain easy to handle. Image resolution ranges from 20µm to 2mm.

 

Surgical Platform

 

Our fully-equipped surgery facility displays an induction and recovery room to perform surgeries in optimal aseptic conditions, with a dedicated anesthesiologist and surgeon working together. Our technical staff is fully trained to perform complex microsurgeries and technical procedures, with regular training for preparing custom demands from our clients.