Our technical infrastructure is operated and maintained by experienced staff to ensure reliable research support. Below you will find an overview of available instruments, technical specifications, contact details, and booking procedures.
PET/CT
Description
The Benchtop PET/CT from MR Solutions offers an advanced integrated preclinical scanner system with a motorized animal bed enabling automatic, high-resolution imaging of multiple animals simultaneously. This setup delivers precise dynamic and static whole-body 3D imaging, tailored to preclinical research needs.
Applications
- Oncology
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Drug development
Species
- Mouse (high throughput: 3 mice imaged simultaneously)
- Rat
Availability
Available in collaboration with the Norwegian Medical Cyclotron Centre. Visit website: Syklotronsenteret
Contact
Syed Nuruddin: Syed.Nuruddin@syklotronsenteret.no
Location
PET-lab MDU
Contact KPM for booking and project planning.
SPECT/PET/CT
Description
The VECTor 6 platform from MILabs is designed for high-resolution, whole-body or targeted 3D imaging of both PET and SPECT tracers, either separately or simultaneously. The system includes multi-pinhole collimators with high sensitivity, capable of detecting a broad range of gamma energies at ultra-high resolution. It also features a fully integrated low-dose X-ray CT scanner, enabling seamless multi-modal imaging without the need to transfer the subject between different scanners.
The platform allows users to select from various collimators tailored to animal size, specific tracer requirements, desired resolution and sensitivity, and the radionuclide’s energy level.
Applications
- Oncology
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Drug development
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Availability
Available in collaboration with the Norwegian Medical Cyclotron Centre. Visit website: Syklotronsenteret
Contact
Syed Nuruddin: Syed.Nuruddin@syklotronsenteret.no
Location
PET-lab MDU
Contact KPM for booking and project planning.
BLI (2D) & BLT (3D)
Description
Optical imaging module for both fluorescent and bioluminescent imaging with a range of probes. As a stand-alone system, the module can be used for planar imaging of single animals and up to ten animals simultaneously, whereas when integrated into our existing VECTor 6 platform, the OI module is able to acquire 3D bioluminescence tomography (BLT) scans.
The integrated SPECT/PET/CT OI system allows for sequential multi-modal imaging, facilitating translational in vivo research.
Applications
- Cancer models
- Orthotopic animal models
- Staging of tumor growth, metastasis, and response to treatment
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Availability
Available in collaboration with the Norwegian Medical Cyclotron Centre. Visit website: Syklotronsenteret
Contact
Syed Nuruddin: Syed.Nuruddin@syklotronsenteret.no
Location
PET-lab MDU
Contact KPM for booking and project planning.
2D SPECT
Description
The γ-eye (BIOEMTECH) is a portable benchtop system specifically designed for planar 2D scintigraphic imaging of SPECT and alpha-emitting radionuclides in mice. This user-friendly imaging solution empowers fast, precise, and cost-effective in vivo screening of novel drug candidates and radiotracers.
Leveraging the gamma-eye’s capabilities, combined with OITL expertise and high-throughput processes, we accelerate drug discovery, optimize radiopharmaceutical development, and provide your research with a decisive edge in speed and efficiency.
Applications
- Drug development
Species
- Mouse
Availability
Available in collaboration with the Norwegian Medical Cyclotron Centre. Visit website: Syklotronsenteret
Contact
Syed Nuruddin: Syed.Nuruddin@syklotronsenteret.no
Location
PET-lab MDU
Contact KPM for booking and project planning.
MRI
Description
[Description text to be added]
Applications
- Oncology
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Drug development
Species
- Mouse
Availability
Available in collaboration with the Norwegian Medical Cyclotron Centre. Visit website: Syklotronsenteret
Contact
Syed Nuruddin: Syed.Nuruddin@syklotronsenteret.no
Location
Imaging-lab MDU
Contact KPM for booking and project planning.
Two-photon Laser Scanning Microscopy
Prairie Technologies Ultima IV two-photon microscope
The two-photon microscope has a large working space below the objective allowing in vivo fluorescence imaging of various modalities, for example: head fixed mice or custom-made fixing stages for various preparations. The two-photon microscope is based upon components from Bruker/PrairieTechnologies (model Ultima IV). The scanner allows both “slow” scanning with two galvo mirrors or “fast” scanning with a resonance mirror combined with a galvo mirror. The microscope is also equipped with a piezo element for ultrafast focusing.
The two-photon lasers available is either an InSight DS from SpectraPhysics (680 – 1300nm) with an additional fixed 1040nm output for stimulation or a MaiTai, DeepSee from SpectraPhysics (700-1080nm). The microscope is installed on an opticalTable (2 x 3.5m) by Standa Ltd. The various opto-mechanical components are delivered by Standa Ltd and laser guiding optics are by Bernhard Halle Nachfolger GmbH. The electro optical modulators (EOM) to control the laser power of the 1040nm (optical stimulation) is by Qioptiq/Gasenger and the two variable wavelength lasers are controlled by pockel-cells by Conoptics Inc. The objectives are either a Nikon16 x, 0.8 NA water-immersion objective (model CFI75 LWD 16XW) or Olympus 25x, 1.05 NA water immersion objective (model XLPLN25XWMP2). All optical filters are by Chroma Technology Corporation.
The microscope has four detection paths for either blue, green, orange and red emitted light. The detection unit consists of the main dichroic filter (type ZT473-488/594/NIRtpc), a type ZET473-488/594/NIRm filter, (shielding the photomultiplier tubes from rest reflective light of the laser beams). Inside the detector house, the light is split into two fractions separated at 560 nm wavelength by the main signal light dichroic filter (T560lpxr). The “green” light is further guided by a secondary dichroic beam splitter at 495 nm (T495lpxr) and filtered by aET525/50m-2p band-pass filter, whereas the “red” light is similarly guided by a secondary beam splitter at 640 nm (T640lpxr) and subsequently filtered by a ET595/50m-2p band-pass filter. The emitted photons in the green, orange and red spectrum are detected/collected by photomultiplier tubes that are Peltier cooled units, model 7422PA-40 by Hamamatsu. For the blue spectrum the microscope is equipped with a multi-alkali PMT model R3896 SEL by Hamamatsu.
Applications
- Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular imaging
- Kidney imaging
- Lymph node imaging
Species
- Mouse
- Rats (anaesthesia)
- Can be customized to be used with other species or preps
- Various In vitro preps
Availability
Available in collaboration with NORBRAIN.
Visit website: Norbrain
Depending on project needs and experimental design, access is typically given in a collaboration context.
Contact
Rune Enger: rune.enger@medisin.uio.no
Location
Conventional unit
Olympus FluoView FVMPE-RS Multiphoton Laser Scanning Microscope
Description
Two-photon microscopy uses pulsed infrared light to excite fluorescence only within a tiny focal volume. Because infrared light penetrates far deeper than visible light and causes less photodamage, the technique can image several hundred micrometres into living, intact tissue—letting you watch cells behave inside a living animal over hours, rather than inferring behaviour from fixed snapshots.
The system is an upright, fixed-stage Olympus FVMPE-RS with a tunable Ti:Sapphire laser (690–1040 nm), four highly sensitive non-descanned detectors, and both a galvanometer and a resonant scanner. It is set up for imaging anaesthetised animals as well as explanted tissue.
Key capabilities
- Image deep inside living tissue: Several hundred micrometres, with far less photobleaching and phototoxicity than confocal microscopy.
- Follow living cells in real time: Fast resonant scanning captures cell migration, interactions, and other rapid dynamics in vivo.
- Record four fluorescent channels at once: Distinguish several cell types, reporters, or dyes within the same experiment.
- Image collagen without label: Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) reveals tissue structure alongside your fluorescent markers.
- Acquire in 3D over time: 10 nm Z-stepping gives full XYZ + time datasets.
- Revisit multiple positions automatically: Motorised stage with multi-area time-lapse follows several regions in the same animal or sample throughout a session.
- Image thick and explanted samples: Organ explants, tissue slices, and whole mounts that are out of reach for confocal imaging.
Applications
- Intravital imaging of cell behaviour in living animals
- Immune cell dynamics — migration and interactions of B cells, T cells, and other populations in lymphoid organs and peripheral tissues
- High-resolution imaging of tissue architecture in thick specimens
- Multiparameter imaging of several fluorescent reporters or dyes simultaneously
- Long-term, multi-position time-lapse experiments
Species
- Mouse
Explanted tissue and other thick preparations can also be imaged. All animal work requires the relevant approvals to be in place before booking.
Availability
Available through contact with the Jacobsen lab. Access is typically provided within a collaboration context. Please get in touch early, as intravital experiments require advance planning regarding sample preparation, reporter choice, and imaging time.
Visit webpage: The Laboratory of Immunoregulation and T-cell Biology
Contact
Johanne Tracy Jacobsen: j.t.jacobsen@medisin.uio.no
Location
Conventional unit
IVIS (In Vivo Imaging System)
Description
The IVIS is a non-invasive imaging platform for sensitive detection and quantification of bioluminescent and fluorescent signals in small animals and biological samples. The system enables longitudinal monitoring of biological processes in the same animal over time, reducing variability and allowing disease progression and treatment response to be followed non-invasively.
Applications
- Tumor growth and metastasis
- Treatment response
- Cell tracking and biodistribution
- Gene expression and reporter assays
- Infectious disease models
- Inflammation and immunology
- Bioluminescence imaging
- Fluorescence imaging
- Ex vivo imaging of tissues and organs
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Availability
Available for booking (separate charges apply).
Contact
Nina Richartz (nina.richartz@medisin.uio.no) for training, pricing, and booking information.
Location
MDU
MiniSpec LF90 II
Description
The Minispec LF90 II instrument from Bruker is a non-invasive body composition analyser based on Time Domain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (TD-NMR). It enables rapid and accurate measurement of body fat, lean tissue, and body fluid in live mice and rats without the need for anaesthesia. Measurements rely on a custom standard curve matched to the animal weight range. The system is well suited for longitudinal studies, allowing repeated measurements of the same animal throughout an experiment while minimizing stress and preserving animal welfare.
Applications
- Body composition analysis
- Obesity and diabetes research
- Metabolic phenotyping
- Nutrition studies
- Longitudinal studies
- Drug efficacy studies
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Availability
Available for booking through Science Linker.
Contact
Knut Tomas Dalen: k.t.dalen@medisin.uio.no
Location
Imaging-lab MDU
Metabolic Chambers (Phenomaster)
Description
The Phenomaster metabolic phenotyping platform from TSE Systems enables continuous home cage (natural environment) measurement of metabolism and activity. The system consists of 20 cages distributed across two climatic chambers, enabling individual/adjusted light cycles and temperatures. The following parameters are continuously captured for each cage: O2 consumption, CO2 production, water/feed consumption (including paired/restricted feeding), movement in the XY-plane, and voluntary exercise on running wheels.
Applications
- Obesity and diabetes research
- Cachexia and cancer
- Drug efficacy studies
- Metabolic studies
- Nutrition studies
- Longitudinal studies
Species
- Mouse
Contact
Knut Tomas Dalen (k.t.dalen@medisin.uio.no)
Location
MDU
Behavioral Equipment
Description
The Behavioural Laboratory provides researchers with access to a wide range of validated behavioural testing systems for mice and rats, including treadmills, behavioural boxes, mazes, and other specialized equipment. The laboratory supports studies of cognition, anxiety, depression-like behaviour, motor function, learning and memory, social behaviour, and sensory function.
Applications
Equipment is available for a wide range of preclinical neuroscience, pharmacology, and disease model studies.
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Availability
Available for booking. First-time users must contact Marivi Nabong Moen.
Contact
Marivi Nabong Moen: m.n.moen@medisin.uio.no
Location
MDU