42 HIGHLIGHTED PUBLICATION CRCINVIVOIMAGING In 2022, GIGA-CRC welcomed Prof Thibault Gendron as the new head of R&D in Radiochemistry, and Ismael Ameur as the new pilot for the cyclotron. They also had the half-time collaboration of physicist Laurent Lamalle for the MRI platform. Two new imaging scanners for the preclinical platform have been acquired: a microCT and a microPET. These two high-performance systems (from Molecubes, Ghent, Belgium) can scan up to four small animals (rat/mouse) simultaneously which increases the number of acquisitions per day and improves the reproducibility. The high spatial resolution of both systems as well as the high sensitivity of the PET scan allow for high data quality. The scanners will be installed in building B23 next to the central animal facility of the CIGA Institute, making them closer and accessible to all GIGA researchers. VIRAL VECTORS & GENE EDITING In 2022, the GIGA-viral vectors platform has established two important partnerships. The first one with Polyplus (E-zyvec) for plasmid design and synthesis as well as for viral vectors production from these plasmids. The second partnership, with CER Groupe, concerns viral vectors production for gene therapy from R&D to preclinical batches. The main goal is to secure viral vector production workflow for fast and efficient preclinical development. With CER Groupe, the GIGA-Viral Vectors platform is now able to propose up to 10 litres of high quality AAV and lentivirus batches. They also work together to improve production level and quality of these production processes. In 2022, a new integrated platform was developed that combines viral vector production with gene editing using CRISPR-Cas technology. This collaborative platform offers various services, including creating genetically modified animals, such as mice and zebrafish, and producing KO or KI cell lines. The platform provides consultancy services and supports all steps of CRISPR projects, including RNA guide design, reagent delivery, and genotyping of the edits. The platform is supported by several GIGA resources, including Mouse and Zebrafish animal facilities, flow cytometry, and genomics.
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