Intravital microscopy platform for infectious and inflammatory diseases

A thorough understanding of inflammatory and infectious processes is essential for the development of novel drugs and vaccines. Intravital microscopy is a powerful tool that allows imaging immune responses in tissues of live organisms. The lack of intravital microscopy platforms has deprived KU Leuven and the Rega Institute research of essential highly detailed imaging of mouse models of viral, parasitic and inflammatory diseases. Biosafety issues do not allow the transport of live infected mice across buildings and imaging facilities. Here, we request funding to establish an intravital microscopy platform with a focus on intravital imaging of mouse models up to BSL2+ biosafety level. The funding will be used to purchase a high-speed multi- channel confocal microscope optimized for intravital microscopy, which will complete a platform containing two BSL2+ biosafety level rooms for housing of the microscope and for animal experimentation; including equipment for animal anesthesia and precision surgery. The main promoter is a recently recruited ZAP member and experienced intravital microscopy specialist able to provide support to the KU Leuven community from planning of intravital microscopy experiments, to training scientists and the analysis of imaging data. The infrastructure will be used by the laboratories of all co-promoters, representing over 200 scientists, and will be accessible for collaborations with other interested researchers.