FLABI services now accessible through the canSERV project

We are thrilled to announce that access to multiple services offered at FLABI is available via the fourth and last canSERV call , which is now open. This call will accept all user projects that address at least one of the four strategic goals of the Cancer Mission, ranging from basic discovery science to translational science, without any further requirement. Researchers interested in accessing services, will be able to submit proposals for this call until July 15th, 2025, 14:00 CEST.  More information for this call can be found here.

Spearpoint services offered by FLABI include:

Mechanism of action studies of cancer targets via single-molecular fluorescence ICS

This service evaluates biomolecular movement and interactions of cancer target proteins in model systems using Fluorescence Correlation and Raster Image Correlation Spectroscopy, to provide information on advanced flow characterization and asymmetric diffusion studies.

UHasselt/AOMC

Mechanism of action studies of cancer targets via single-molecular fluorescence, smFRET

This service uses single-molecule (3-color) Förster Resonance Energy Transfer techniques to evaluate biomolecular structural ‘wobbling’ for fluorescence lifetime imaging of cancer-relevant targets in model systems, and to provide information on the conformational status and interactions of these proteins.

UHasselt/AOMC

Correlated Light and Electron Microscopy

This CLEM service, developed for a wide range of biological samples and organisms, aims to incorporate ultrastructural information into the relevant physiological context provided by fluorescent reporters and light microscopy by the integration of information from both scales, connecting dynamic measurements with (ultra-)structure to allow the elucidation of structure-function relationships on the nm scale.

VIB Leuven/BIC

Multiphoton deep intravital fluorescence imaging

This service uses multiphoton and second harmonic imaging techniques to study the enteric nervous system (and other in vivo/in situ biological systems and models), including the measurement of cellular activity in the intact three-dimensional (3D) environment, with very high spatial and temporal resolution, to enable the study of integrated enteric nervous system functions in cancer models and in response to therapy.

KU Leuven/CIC

PET/SPECT/CT imaging of preclinical cancer models

This service enables the characterization of mouse cancer models for a range of existing and novel biological targets/candidate biomarkers that can be measured via µPET and µSPECT over time, and how these readouts change in response to therapy. µSPECT can also be used to assess the distribution of novel radionuclide therapies in rodent cancer models.

KU Leuven/MIRaCLe

Imaging-guided preclinical radiotherapy studies

This service employs a unique preclinical radiotherapy platform and integrates multi-modality imaging biomarkers from CT, BLI, PET and MRI in the planning, delivery and follow-up of a range therapeutic studies in mouse cancer models where external beam radiotherapy is a central component. It aims to reproduce the clinical paradigm and parameters for EBRT as closely as possible to provide the most predictive cancer therapy results in preclinical models.

UGent/CORE ARTH Infinity

High-content cell-to-organ(oid) screeningThis service provides a platform for comprehensive profiling of cellular phenotypes (cell types and states) in preclinical models ranging from 2D cultures (primary, cancer and iPSC-derived cells), over 3D models (tumoroids and cerebral organoids) to whole organs (e.g. mouse brain). Fully automated pipelines are available to interrogate and quantify morphological and functional markers of interest with single cell resolution and throughput, including a unique workflow for in-flow screening of cleared organoids.

UAntwerp/ACAM

Preclinical PET imaging in cancer models

This service enables the preclinical PET imaging of rodent cancer models to provide a number of biological/biochemical/candidate or established imaging biomarker readouts, allowing longitudinal tumor characterisation before and after treatment for a range of markers. 

VUB/ICMI