Molecular imaging -: In vivo imaging of gene expression:: MR and optical technologies

With the ability to readily engineer genes, create knock-in and knock-out models of human disease, and replace and insert genes in clinical trials of gene therapy, it has become clear that imaging will play a critical role in these fields. Imaging is particularly helpful in recording temporal and spatial resolution of gene expression in vivo, determining vector distribution, and, ultimately, understanding endogenous gene expression during disease development. While endeavors are under way to image targets ranging from DNA to entire phenotypes in vivo, this short review focuses on in vivo imaging of gene expression with magnetic resonance and optical techniques.