MRI Technology

For instance, it was found out that magnetic resonance imaging can help in understanding gene expression better. Science Daily published an article which discusses how scientists have developed a simple yet amazing way of visualizing gene expression in cells with the help of MRI. "Researchers in the laboratory of Mikhail Shapiro, assistant professo... r of chemical engineering and Heritage Medical Research Institute Investigator, have invented a new method to link magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signals to gene expression in cells--including tumor cells--in living tissues. The technique, which eventually could be used in humans, would allow gene expression to be monitored non-invasively, requiring no surgical procedures such as biopsies." "In MRI, hydrogen atoms in the body--atoms that are mostly contained in water molecules and fat--are excited using a magnetic field. The excited atoms, in turn, emit signals that can be used to create images of the brain, muscle, and other tissues, which can be distinguished based on the local physical and chemical environment of the water molecules. While this technique is widely used, it usually provides only anatomical snapshots of tissues or physiological functions such as blood flow rather than observations of the activity of specific cells." Check out the full article here...Read More