Optical imaging of pancreatic beta cells in living mice expressing a mouse insulin I promoter‐firefly luciferase transgene

Abstract
We generated transgenic mice expressing firefly (Photinus pyralis) luciferase (luc) under the control of the mouse insulin I promoter (MIP). The mice have normal glucose tolerance and pancreatic islet architecture. The luciferase‐expressing beta cells can be readily visualized in living mice using whole‐body bioluminescent imaging. The MIP‐luc transgenic mice may be useful for monitoring changes in beta cell function or mass in living animals with normal or altered metabolic states. genesis 43:80–86, 2005.