In vivo imaging in the development of gene therapy vectors

The availability of imaging techniques and reporter probes that provide information regarding the biodistribution of gene therapy vectors and expression of encoded genes in living animals, has the potential to accelerate the development and testing of new gene therapies. Techniques using novel imaging markers and labeled reporter molecules enable longitudinal studies that provide quantitative or semi-quantitative data reflecting gene expression regulation in living animals, which may significantly assist in the development of therapeutics targeted to individual organs or cell populations. Non-invasive imaging studies performed in animal models of human disease are crucial for translational research for future clinical development.