MI Professionals
Molecular Imaging Overview
What is molecular imaging? Molecular imaging is the visualization, characterization, and measurement of biological processes at the molecular and cellular levels in humans and other living systems.
Molecular imaging typically includes 2- or 3 dimensional imaging as well as quantification over time. The techniques used include radiotracer imaging/nuclear medicine, MRI/Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, optical imaging, ultrasound and others.
Other molecular imaging definitions:
Molecular Imaging Agents
Molecular imaging agents are probes used to visualize, characterize, and measure biological processes in living systems. Both endogenous molecules and exogenous probes can be molecular imaging agents.
Molecular Imaging Instrumentation
Molecular imaging instrumentation comprises tools that enable visualization and quantification in space and over time of signals from molecular imaging agents.
Molecular Imaging Quantification
Molecular imaging quantification is the determination of regional concentrations of molecular imaging agents and biological parameters. To elaborate, "Molecular imaging quantification provides measurements of processes at molecular and cellular levels. This quantification is a key element of molecular imaging data and image analysis, especially for inter- and intra-subject comparisons."
