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In Vivo Two-photon Imaging Of Experience-dependent Molecular Changes In Cortical Neurons
Published on: January 5, 2013
In vivo molecular-genetic imaging
Ronald G Blasberg1, Juri Gelovani-Tjuvajev
1Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021, USA. blasberg@neuro1.mskcc.org
Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. Supplement
|January 29, 2003
Summary
Noninvasive molecular imaging uses reporter genes and probes to track gene expression and biological processes in vivo. This technology offers a non-sampling method to study diseases in animal models and potentially humans.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Medical imaging
- Genetics
Background:
- Noninvasive in vivo molecular imaging, including PET and MRI, has advanced significantly.
- Current strategies often use "indirect" imaging with reporter genes and probes to assess gene expression levels.
- Reporter gene expression can be constitutive or inducible, allowing for monitoring of gene activity or controlled gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review examples of imaging endogenous biological processes in animals using reporter constructs and PET.
- To highlight the value of non-invasive assays for studying molecular-genetic and cellular processes.
- To emphasize the spatial and temporal insights gained from non-invasive imaging for disease understanding.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing reporter gene constructs coupled with complementary reporter probes for indirect imaging.
- Employing nuclear imaging techniques like Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with radiolabeled probes.
- Reviewing applications in imaging transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, protein-protein interactions, and promoter activity.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful in vivo imaging of various biological processes, including gene regulation and protein interactions.
- Showcased the ability to monitor gene (vector) activity, duration, and tissue-specific expression.
- Highlighted the potential for imaging weak promoters and cis- vs. trans-reporter configurations.
Conclusions:
- Non-invasive molecular imaging provides valuable spatial and temporal data complementary to traditional ex vivo methods.
- Versatile and sensitive non-invasive assays are crucial for monitoring molecular-genetic and cellular processes in disease models.
- Future applications hold promise for both animal research and human studies, advancing disease understanding.
