Current Advances in Molecular Imaging: Noninvasive in Vivo Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Optical Imaging in Cancer Research

Garry Choy, Peter Choyke, Steven K. Libutti

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

202 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recently, there has been tremendous interest in developing techniques such as MRI, micro-CT, micro-PET, and SPECT to image function and processes in small animals. These technologies offer deep tissue penetration and high spatial resolution, but compared with noninvasive small animal optical imaging, these techniques are very costly and time consuming to implement. Optical imaging is cost-effective, rapid, easy to use, and can be readily applied to studying disease processes and biology in vivo. In vivo optical imaging is the result of a coalescence of technologies from chemistry, physics, and biology. The development of highly sensitive light detection systems has allowed biologists to use imaging in studying physiological processes. Over the last few decades, biochemists have also worked to isolate and further develop optical reporters such as GFP, luciferase, and cyanine dyes. This article reviews the common types of fluorescent and bioluminescent optical imaging, the typical system platforms and configurations, and the applications in the investigation of cancer biology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)303-312
Number of pages10
JournalMolecular Imaging
Volume2
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cancer
  • GFP
  • Luciferase
  • Noninvasive
  • Optical imaging

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Condensed Matter Physics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Current Advances in Molecular Imaging: Noninvasive in Vivo Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Optical Imaging in Cancer Research'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this