News
10.03.2026
New Multimodal and Functional Preclinical Imaging System (SIMFp) for Biomedical Research
The CCiTUB have recently incorporated a SIMFp system made possible through grant EQC2021-007451-P, endowed with €1,039,347 and funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation together with the European Union’s Next Generation EU programme (2021 call).
The SIMFp platform provides an advanced system for in vivo imaging in small animal models. It integrates multiple imaging modalities that allow the simultaneous analysis of anatomical structure, metabolic activity, molecular processes, and cellular dynamics, thus offering a comprehensive and integrated view of experimental models.
The infrastructure is particularly notable for its combination of optical imaging technologies (LAGO system) and nuclear imaging technologies (MOLECUBES modular system: PET, SPECT, and CT). The integration of these platforms makes the CCiTUB’s SIMFp a unique system in Spain, capable of merging highly sensitive optical imaging with nuclear and tomographic imaging techniques.
The SIMFp system is located in the In Vivo Experimentation Unit at the Bellvitge Medicine Campus. This enables imaging studies to be carried out directly on animal models under controlled conditions, facilitating integration with other ongoing experimental procedures.
Both the LAGO system room and the micro PET/SPECT/CT room are equipped with inhalation anesthesia systems, thermal control, and multimodal positioning devices, allowing complex studies to be performed while maintaining the animal’s physiological conditions during image acquisition. Additionally, the MOLECUBES modules include ECG and respiratory monitoring capabilities, enhancing the precision of functional studies.
Features
The general features of the SIMFp system can be understood by examining the capabilities of each of its modules:
LAGO System. Optical Imaging (bioluminescence and fluorescence):
This system enables bioluminescence (BLI) and fluorescence (FLI) studies with extremely high sensitivity, allowing the analysis of biodistribution (labeling nanoparticles, viruses, transgenic lines, CRISPR/Cas, Cre, etc.) or specific in vivo markers in the animal. It also allows the simultaneous study of up to 10 small animals.
MOLECUBES. PET Imaging (β-CUBE):
PET imaging enables real-time monitoring of biological processes using small amounts of safe radioactive substances. This technique is used to study organ functionality, the kinetics and biodistribution of a drug throughout the body, or tumor growth.
MOLECUBES. SPECT Imaging (γ-CUBE):
The SPECT module enables visualization of physiological processes using gamma-emitting radioisotopes, including the possibility of using multiple isotopes simultaneously. It is particularly useful for studying specific organ functions or the behavior of certain drugs.
MOLECUBES. Computed Tomography (X-CUBE CT):
The CT system provides high-resolution anatomical imaging, enabling precise visualization of both bone structures and soft tissues. CT is essential for coregistration following PET or SPECT acquisitions.
Applications
Current biomedical research requires tools that allow the study of complex biological processes in animal models in a non-invasive and longitudinal manner, integrating anatomical, functional, and molecular information. In this context, multimodal preclinical imaging has become a key technology for understanding disease mechanisms and evaluating new therapeutic strategies.
Its applications range from oncology to drug development, facilitating the analysis of drug distribution, mechanism of action, and efficacy. In neuroscience, PET imaging enables the study of brain metabolism, neuroinflammation, synaptic activity, or neurodegeneration, being especially valuable in Alzheimer’s models for visualizing amyloid plaques and tau deposits. Furthermore, optical imaging techniques allow real-time investigation of immune system dynamics and infections, such as immune cell migration, the progression of bacterial or viral infections, and inflammatory processes in various tissues.
Overall, SIMFp offers a comprehensive tool for understanding diseases, validating new therapies, and advancing multiple fields within biomedical research.
More information on the equipment page: [+].