Saturday, December 3, 2011

Useful Information About Molecular Imaging

By Adriana Noton


It is known that a very important thing in modern science is the molecular imaging. It is extremely useful because it is the reason why the scientists are able to see and study the cellular function, and another important thing, they can observe the molecular process at a very tiny scale. Probably the biggest advantage of this possibility of observation is the fact that the scientists can take a close look at what happens in the living body without perturbing any molecule.

Imagine for a second what does that really mean. It is a huge step forward for science, being able to observe molecules without interfering. Also, think about the possibilities of this field. With such means of study, the scientists can diagnose the diseases like cardiovascular or neurological diseases, and even cancer.

This field is basically the means of displaying molecules without interfering. There were ways of doing this in the past too, but such traditional ways were based on interference. They could interfere chemically, or the measurement could be done on the differences of water, or density.

This represents a step forward. Such a step is what the scientists needed to go deeper in our bodies. They can now see fine molecular changes, without getting into their business. This represents the answer to a lot of questions that the humanity has been asking itself for such a long time. The various interactions that molecules have with themselves are from now on uncovered.

The molecular imaging can be done in many ways. Each single way has advantages and disadvantages. A very used method is the magnetic resonance imaging, which is known in science as MRI. MRI got a very high resolution, which represents an advantage. The downside of MRI is its limited sensitivity. Each molecule is in a high or in a low energy state, and because of its limits, MRI cannot see the difference.

Optical displaying is a very common method too. Also with advantages and disadvantages, the optical displaying is used depending on the situation. Because it comprises low costs, and low safety requirement, it is perfect for the surface experiments. But if you go deeper, then a problem occurs. This method is based on light, and the light is absorbed as you get deeper, so it kinda has a lack in depth penetration.

One of the other very used methods is the SPECT, or the single photon emission computed tomography. The SPECT method is regularly used in brain imaging to check its blood flow. Just as the optical displaying, this method is used depending on the situation.

But there are many more modalities of Molecular Imaging, and each of them is effective in its own way. Even if there exist some traditional ways too, the effectiveness cannot be compared. Because of the variety, the scientists use the method according to the situation they are in. But regardless the choice, it is clear that, because of this discovery, science made a step forward.




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