July 3, 2003: , BAR HARBOR, ME: A broad-ranging collaboration between The Jackson Laboratory and VisualSonics was announced today to leverage the use of the VisualSonics’ Vevo 660™ high-resolution imaging system to increase The Jackson Laboratory’s development efforts in phenotyping research and discovery.
The Jackson Laboratory is the world's largest mammalian genetic research facility, which also serves the global scientific community as the key provider of critical genetic resources and training for present and future scientists. VisualSonics is the leading manufacturer of high-resolution in vivo imaging systems for small animal research using high-resolution ultrasound technology.
Using VisualSonics’ Vevo 660 high-resolution imaging system, researchers can visualize - - in real time - - detailed anatomical features and blood flow in small animals such as mice and rats with resolution down to 30 microns. Because the system is non-invasive, researchers can therefore image and re-image the same animal - - from early embryonic stages through to adulthood - - and watch the progression or regression of disease, the overall development of specific features or functions of the animal, or monitor the effect of therapies. In essence, this new technology is a significant new research tool providing detailed imaging that will allow for accelerated and more detailed phenotypic study.
In the post-genomic era, where much of the human and mouse genome has been identified, the ability to understand the “phenotype” - - or the expression of disease - - has become of tantamount importance. “We are thrilled to be working with such an esteemed organization as The Jackson Laboratory to help leverage this important imaging technology”, says Tom Little, CEO of VisualSonics. ”We feel that the adoption of our high-resolution in vivo imaging solution and the education of the research marketplace in general about this important imaging modality will significantly complement and expedite phenotypic research at large.” Notes Jackson Laboratory Director of Research Barbara Knowles, Ph.D.: “Being able to capture physical data using this technology, and linking that data to our publicly accessible genetics databases, will be of tremendous value to our own researchers as well as the worldwide biomedical research community.”
The collaboration agreement between The Jackson Laboratory and VisualSonics involves technology transfer and usage of the Vevo 660 imaging system by The Jackson Laboratory, a co-development of a new educational course on high-resolution imaging, a series of co-promotion activities to help promote the benefits and images derived using high-resolution imaging, and an organized sharing of subject matter expertise on the application of high-resolution imaging for phenotypic research.
About VisualSonics
VisualSonics is the leading manufacturer of high-resolution in vivo imaging systems for small animal research. VisualSonics’ Vevo 660™ high-resolution imaging system provides real-time visualization and measurement of anatomical and hemodynamic function in small animals down to 30 microns. Because of the non-invasive nature of the technology, longitudinal studies of the same animal can be performed. This high-resolution imaging technology is being successfully applied to phenotypic-based research applications such as developmental biology, cardiovascular research, cancer biology, neurobiology and drug discovery.
About The Jackson Laboratory
The Jackson Laboratory, founded in 1929, is a world leader in mammalian genetics research. The nonprofit, independent facility has a mission to improve the quality of human life through discoveries arising from its own genetic research and by enabling the research and education of others.