Use of clinical MR scanners for small rodent imaging.

摘要

Experiments involving animals remain an important part of scientific research. The vast majority of experiments take place on small rodents because they are easy to breed and keep and share basic biology and chemistry with humans, and because of their excellent genetic and physiological characterisation and the broad availability of genetically engineered strains. Changes in organ morphology and function under normal and pathologic conditions as well as tumor growth and tumor physiology are frequently observed parameters. In the past, analysis of these parameters often was bound to invasive methods, and groups of animals had to be killed at predefined intervals to perform longitudinal studies.