Advancing biomedical imaging.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical imaging
• Cellular and molecular imaging
• Medical diagnostics

Background:

• Internal body structures and dynamic processes are challenging to study.
• Numerous imaging modalities exist, spanning the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Clinical and research imaging techniques are often used in isolation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of integrating diverse imaging modalities.
• To emphasize the synergy between clinical and research imaging.
• To underscore the necessity of combined approaches for biological discovery and clinical data interpretation.

Main Methods:

• Review of various clinical imaging modalities: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and light-based methods (endoscopy, optical coherence tomography - OCT).
• Overview of research imaging modalities: light microscopy (confocal, multiphoton, total internal reflection, superresolution fluorescence microscopy), electron microscopy, mass spectrometry imaging, fluorescence tomography, bioluminescence, OCT variations, and optoacoustic imaging.
• Argument for the integration of these disparate imaging techniques.

Main Results:

• Imaging modalities provide access to deep, complex biological structures and dynamic processes.
• A wide array of clinical and research imaging techniques are available, each with unique capabilities.
• The integration of clinical and research imaging offers significant advantages over isolated use.

Conclusions:

• Combining clinical imaging with research microscopy is essential for discovering novel biology.
• Integrated imaging approaches are vital for accurately interpreting clinical datasets, which often contain signals from numerous cells.
• Bridging the gap between clinical and research imaging will accelerate biological and medical advancements.