How to Choose an In Vivo Imaging System for Preclinical Research

Why the Right In Vivo Imaging System Changes Your Research

An in vivo imaging system lets you track biological processes in living small animals over time — without sacrificing them. It is the backbone of preclinical oncology, drug development and translational studies, where longitudinal data on tumour growth, gene expression or therapy response is the currency of progress.

But imaging systems vary enormously in sensitivity, throughput and software. Choosing the wrong one means missed signals, wasted animals and frustrated researchers. This buyer’s guide covers the six factors that matter most when you choose an in vivo imaging system for preclinical research.

Step 1 — Understand the Imaging Modes You Need

Mode	What it detects	Typical use
Bioluminescence (BLI)	Light from luciferase-labelled cells	Tumour growth, cell trafficking, gene expression
Fluorescence (FLI)	Fluorophores excited by light	Multiplexed labels, reporter genes, probes
Chemiluminescence (CLI)	Chemiluminescent reactions	Enzyme assays, high-sensitivity detection

Many studies need more than one mode — for example, bioluminescence for longitudinal tumour tracking and fluorescence for molecular markers. A system with multi-mode detection built in gives you flexibility without buying a second instrument.

Step 2 — Evaluate Sensitivity and Camera

Sensitivity decides whether you see early, faint signals. The two specifications that matter most are:

• Deep cooling: a scientific camera cooled to around -70 °C suppresses dark current, so weak optical signals from deep tissue are captured with low noise.
• Quantum efficiency (QE): QE at the key wavelengths (e.g. ≥80% at 600 nm) determines how efficiently photons are converted to signal.

Higher pixel counts (for example 7.5 megapixels) and 16-bit depth also improve spatial detail and dynamic range for quantitative work.

Step 3 — Consider Throughput and Animal Handling

Preclinical studies often run dozens of animals. Key questions:

• Imaging area: how many mice fit on the stage at once? A 20 × 20 cm stage can image up to five mice per run.
• Anaesthesia: is a gas anaesthesia system integrated for safe, consistent imaging?
• Temperature control: does the heated stage (e.g. 20–40 °C) maintain physiological conditions during long sessions?

Higher throughput directly shortens study timelines and reduces cost per data point.

Step 4 — Check Excitation and Filter Flexibility

Fluorescence imaging requires the right excitation sources and emission filters. Look for:

• Excitation: a ring LED module or multi-position excitation source that covers your fluorophore panel.
• Filters: a filter wheel with enough positions (e.g. 18) and multiple emission filters so you can swap between labels without reconfiguration.
• Dark enclosure: a fully sealed, light-tight cabinet that blocks stray light for reproducible quantification.

Step 5 — Think About Software and Analysis

The best hardware is only as useful as its software. Modern systems should offer:

• Automatic animal/signal identification and ROI definition.
• Multi-image comparison and longitudinal tracking of the same cohort.
• Quantitative outputs (photon counts, radiance) and 3D peak display for confident reporting.
• Intuitive workflows so junior staff can run studies independently.

Step 6 — Budget and Total Cost of Ownership

• Upfront cost: deep-cooled scientific-camera systems are a significant investment; compare features against price.
• Consumables: substrates for bioluminescence, fluorophores, anaesthesia gas.
• Support and warranty: responsive technical support and reliable service matter for a system you depend on daily.

In Vivo Imaging Buying FAQ

How much does an in vivo imaging system cost?
Prices range widely — from compact multi-mode systems to premium high-throughput platforms. Define your modes and throughput first, then compare total cost of ownership across shortlisted systems.

How many animals can be imaged at once?
It depends on the imaging area. Compact systems often image 3–5 mice per run; larger platforms handle more. Match capacity to your cohort size.

Do I need bioluminescence and fluorescence in one system?
If your studies use luciferase reporters alongside fluorescent probes, a multi-mode system avoids the cost and complexity of two instruments.

The SHANGTONG LumiFluor AVIS

The SHANGTONG LumiFluor AVIS is a deep-cooled in vivo imaging system designed around these principles: a -70 °C scientific camera with 7.5 MP output and ≥80% QE at 600 nm, multi-mode bioluminescence/fluorescence/chemiluminescence detection, ring LED excitation with an 18-position filter wheel, a 20 × 20 cm stage that images up to five mice, gas anaesthesia, and intelligent software with automatic identification, multi-image comparison and 3D peak display. It is well suited to oncology, drug development, nanomaterials and translational medicine. Explore the Small Animal Imaging product line to learn more.

This article is provided for informational purposes as part of the SHANGTONG Knowledge Library.