Laboratory x-ray fluorescence computed tomography for in vivo preclinical imaging

Laboratory x-ray fluorescence (XRF) computed tomography (XFCT) with nanoparticles (NPs) as contrast agents now allows for in vivo preclinical imaging and longitudinal studies at low radiation dose. We present on developments of our XFCT arrangement capable of low-dose (<25 mGy) imaging with high signal-to-background resulting in high-spatial-resolution (200-400 μm) in vivo imaging of Ru, Rh and Mo NPs injected and accumulated locally in mice. We further demonstrate multiplexing capabilities by cross-talk-free separation of Ru, Rh and Mo XRF signal as well as envisioning the future of preclinical XFCT for active targeting and imaging of molecular markers (e.g., cancer cells).