Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in chronic renal disease

Fusion imaging of radionuclide-based molecular (PET) and structural data [x-ray computed tomography (CT)] has been firmly established. Here we show that optical measurements [fluorescence-mediated tomography (FMT)] show exquisite congruence to radionuclide measurements and that information can be seamlessly integrated and visualized. Using biocompatible nanoparticles as a generic platform (containing a 18F isotope and a far red fluorochrome), we show good correlations between FMT and PET in probe concentration (r2 > 0.99) and spatial signal distribution (r2 > 0.85). Using a mouse model of cancer and different imaging probes to measure tumoral proteases, macrophage content and integrin expression simultaneously, we demonstrate the distinct tumoral locations of probes in multiple channels in vivo. The findings also suggest that FMT can serve as a surrogate modality for the screening and development of radionuclide-based imaging agents.

https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/107/17/7910.full.pdf

Hybrid PET-optical imaging using targeted probes

Multifunctional ultrasound contrast agents for imaging guided photothermal therapy.

Photoacoustic imaging is an emerging imaging modality for noninvasive detection of tissue structural and functional anomalies. Multifunctional microbubbles (MBs) and nanobubbles (NBs) are contrast agents integrating multiple disease-targeting, imaging and therapeutic functions. Multifunctional MBs and NBs represent an enabling technology for many potential applications in the field of photoacoustic imaging. Highly absorbing optical contrast agents, such as gold nanoparticles, India ink and Indocyanine Green, can be encapsulated in MBs and NBs for stable absorption properties and multimodal imaging contrasts. The surface of MBs and NBs can be modified for high disease-targeting affinity, reduced immunogenicity and prolonged circulation lifetime. Low boiling point perfluorocarbon compounds can be encapsulated in MBs and NBs for selective activation by external energy sources. The activation of these MBs and NBs may introduce significant contrast enhancement and facilitate a variety of potential clinical applications, such as image-guided drug delivery and therapeutic margin assessment. MB and NB enhanced photoacoustic imaging is still in its infancy. Further development and validation works are necessary for successful translation of the technology from the benchtop to the bedside. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Multifunctional microbubbles and nanobubbles for photoacoustic imaging.

The Fifth Bioengineering and Imaging Research Opportunities Workshop (BIROW V) was held on January 18-19, 2008 As with previous BIROW meetings, the purpose of BIROW V was to identify and characterize research and engineering opportunities in biomedical engineering and imaging The topic of this BIROW meeting was Imaging and Characterizing Structure and Function in Native and Engineered Tissues Under this topic, four areas were explored in depth:1) Heterogeneous single-cell measurements and their integration into tissue and organism models;2) Functional, molecular, and structural imaging of engineered tissue in vitro and in vivo;3) New technologies for characterizing cells and tissues in situ;4) Imaging for targeted cell, gene, and drug delivery

Bioengineering and Imaging Research Opportunities Workshop V: a summary on Imaging and Characterizing Structure and Function in Native and Engineered Tissues.

The Fourth Biomedical Imaging Research Opportunities Workshop (BIROW IV) was held on February 24–25, 2006, in North Bethesda, MD. The workshop focused on opportunities for research and development in four areas of imaging:imaging of rodent models; imaging in drug development; imaging of chronic metabolic disease: diabetes; and image guided intervention in the fourth dimension-time. These topics were examined by four keynote speakers in plenary sessions and then discussed in breakout sessions devoted to identifying research opportunities and challenges in the individual topics. This paper synthesizes these discussions into a strategy for future research directions in biomedical imaging.

/pdf/biomedical-imaging-research-opportunities-workshop-iv-a-1zk9ahi9ep.pdf

Steven M. Larson

Papers

Biomedical imaging research opportunities workshop IV: A white paper