To study early tumour development, tumour progression and metastasis, we will develop novel multi-modality, chimeric reporter constructs aimed at generating tumour cell lines stably expressing these reporter constructs suitable for different imaging technologies or combinations of imaging technologies. Furthermore, we will also generate new in vivo animal models for imaging of spontaneous tumour development progression and metastasis.

Due to rapid development in molecular biological tools and recent development of extremely sensitive photon detectors, Fluorescent imaging (FLI) and Bioluminescent imaging (BLI) can be applied to study cell and tissue specific promoters but also to follow trafficking and fate of GFP and/or Luciferase expressing cells, apoptosis, protein-protein interaction and gene-transfer. In cancer research, these applications have allowed quantitative measurements of tumour progression and metastasis and treatment response. Due to its high sensitivity FLI, and especially BLI, are extremely useful for early detection of micro-metastases and minimal residual disease states in animal models.

Technologies based on optics are relatively recent and have been so far restricted to animal research. However, most may be adaptable to clinical use, in the near future for imaging tissues like breast and skin or internal organs like bladder and intestine using fibre optics.

The specific aims of this part of the network are to:

• Develop and validate novel chimeric reporter constructs aimed at generating tumour cell lines stably expressing these reporter constructs suitable for different imaging technologies or combinations of imaging technologies;
• Integrate optical imaging with other non-invasive imaging modalities;
• Develop and validate new (spontaneous) tumour animal model systems for early detection of tumour development, progression and metastasis, including minimal residual disease.

These new methods and model systems will allow us to study efficacy of new therapeutic approaches like i.e. gene therapy and anti-angiogenesis and when successful can be a first step towards clinical application.