A new X-ray scanner for small animals, the Bruker Skyscan 1276, will be installed at Imperial College London—the first of its kind in the UK—capable of taking high-resolution 3D images with so little radiation that researchers can scan the same mouse repeatedly over weeks or months without harming it. This matters because current micro-CT scanners either deliver radiation doses that alter biological processes or require sacrificing animals at each time point to examine tissues. The SKYSCAN eliminates both problems. It allows scientists to watch diseases unfold in real time inside a living animal: how osteoarthritis erodes joint cartilage, how a tumour spreads to bone, or how a broken femur heals. Almost 50% of people over 65 have osteoarthritis, yet its progression is poorly understood because researchers could not safely image the same joint over time. If the scanner succeeds, it will reduce the number of animals needed for preclinical studies—a single animal can provide data across many time points—and improve data reliability by eliminating variability between sacrificed groups. The technology will support research into trauma, cancer metastasis, cardiovascular disease, and tissue engineering. Training programmes will make it accessible to academic and industry researchers across the UK, advancing ethical, high-impact biomedical science.
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We are requesting funding for the purchase of a Bruker Skyscan 1276 CMOS In Vivo Micro-CT Scanner (SKYSCAN). SKYSCAN is a ground-breaking imaging system currently not available in the UK that offers high resolution combined with a significant reduction in radiation exposure. This reduction in radiation means that it the tool is ideal for longitudinal studies, meaning that researchers can conduct repeated imaging on the same animals without compromising animal welfare or altering the biological processes being measured. This is a non-invasive technology which provides an ethical and scientifically robust method for tracking disease progression and treatment outcomes over time. The SKYSCAN will be a transformative addition to biomedical research, enabling the detailed study of disease mechanisms and therapeutic responses in live small animal models. Its enhanced capabilities are critical for addressing challenges in fields such as osteoarthritis (a severe joint disease present in almost 50% of people over the age of 65), trauma, cancer metastasis, bone regeneration and growth, cardiovascular health, and tissue engineering. By offering superior image quality and reducing the radiation impact, this equipment will improve data reliability, minimise variability, and set new standards for preclinical research. SKYSCAN will be incorporated in the Core Facilities of the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College, ensuring accessibility for academic researchers, industry partners, and collaborators across the UK in a sustainable and responsible way. Training programs will be developed to support skill-building and encourage interdisciplinary use, fostering a wider adoption of these advanced imaging techniques. Additionally, this technology aligns with the 3Rs principles of animal research (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement), particularly enhancing refinement by reducing stress and harm to animal models and reducing the total number of animals needed thanks to the fast low radiation scans. It ensures reduction of animal use by enabling a single animal to be measured over many time points; other technologies require animal sacrifice at each time point. The SKYSCAN will have far-reaching applications and benefits. It will support cutting-edge research that advances understanding of disease, accelerates the development of precision medicine, and promotes sustainable scientific practices. The incorporation of SKYSCAN in the fully managed state of the art facilities of the Department of Bioengineering will support and drive existing and new collaborations to the benefit of the UK wide community delivering a significant step forward for the UK research community and the global pursuit of ethical, high-impact biomedical science towards impactful innovation in healthcare.
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