Bioimaging and Applied Research Core

The Bioimaging and Applied Research Core (BARC) provides state-of-the-art imaging technologies to foster multi-modality approaches to study anatomy, biology, biochemistry, and pharmacology in vivo and in vitro.

Services
Instruments
Our team

About

The Bioimaging and Applied Research Core, directed by Frank Corwin, Ph.D. and managed by Mackenzie Newman, Ph.D.offers comprehensive instrumentation and technical support for all aspects of in vitro and in vivo pre-clinical non-human anatomical and molecular imaging. Studies may be conducted on samples prepared to exhibit characteristic features for a particular imaging modality. Within the intact environment, physiological and pathophysiological activity may be observed through imaging or numerous biological pathways and interactions involved in injury and disease progression, such as traumatic brain injury, cardiac disease, tumorigenesis, and therapeutic interventions.

BARC offers a wide variety of services via a traditional fee-for-service model and collaborative solutions that involve do-it-yourself imaging and data analysis and lab-expertise for hire. These models give investigators the opportunity for training and hands-on time on selected instrumentation and permit investigators to purchase technician time from experienced staff to contribute to protocol development and optimization of new approaches. Staff can assist in experimental planning and project design.

News

10/31/24: Our services request form is now live! We are happy to continue communicating via email, but this will help streamline the intake process, especially for larger studies or those that may require add-on services beyond imaging.

8/7/24: BARC has received approval for upgrades to our Bruker 7T MR system! We will be upgrading to Paravision 7 as well as acquiring a software package for Proton Density Fat Fraction (PDFF) measurement. These additions will greatly enhance future studies in BARC, particularly those involving liver disease such as MASH.

6/5/24: BARC has been approved to purchase a new laser for our iThera Medical MSOT inVision system! This will extend our maximum excitation wavelength from 1000 to 1300nm, well into infrared-A, allowing imaging of collagen deposition typically associated with fibrosis.

News archive

Initiate a project

BARC offers a new business model based on a broad range of off-the-shelf, state-of-the-art services as well as the ability to develop and tailor protocols for specific research projects. To initiate a service request or to schedule a discussion about an ongoing or upcoming project please use our intake form or contact us via email.

Suggested publication language

Published work using data generated at BARC should include the following in the acknowledgment:

The data included in this study was generated at the Bioimaging and Applied Research Core facility at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Suggested grant language

Include the following text in the Facilities and Resources section of grant applications when proposing to conduct work that utilizes the BARC facility:

Recent citations

Wiggins, C.S., Cabral, A., Mafi, A. et al. Integrated positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging of flow phenomena in twisted tape swirl flow. Exp Fluids 65, 121 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-024-03860-7

India K Hawkins, Josh Mitchell, Adolfo G Mauro, Nigeste M Carter, Frank Corwin, Fadi N Salloum, Frank J Raucci. "Measuring Fibrosis Progression in Duchenne Cardiomyopathy Using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in mice". Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Conference, 22-25 July 2024.

Irwin, L. A., Lee, L., Mitchell, J., Corwin, F. D., Coelho, D. H., & Manzoor, N. F. (2024). Endoscopic-Assisted Presigmoid Approach to the Internal Auditory Canal. A Feasibility Study. In Otology & Neurotology (Vol. 45, Issue 7, pp. 806–809). Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). https://doi.org/10.1097/mao.0000000000004248 

Wiggins, C. S., Cabral, A., & Carasik, L. B. (2023). Coregistered positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) for engineering flow measurements. In Nuclear Engineering and Design (Vol. 403, p. 112125). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2022.112125

Brøndsted, F., Fang, Y., Li, L., Zhou, X., Grant, S., & Stains, C. I. (2023). Single Atom Stabilization of Phosphinate Ester‐Containing Rhodamines Yields Cell Permeable Probes for Turn‐On Photoacoustic Imaging**. In Chemistry – A European Journal (Vol. 30, Issue 1). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202303038

Citation archive