During the past few decades magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - specifically, preclinical MRI - and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), have proven themselves to be extremely useful for research applications in the various Life Sciences.
Neuroscience research is heavily reliant on animal MRI which has, in many instances, become recognized as the benchmark for this field. Some of the foremost applications of clinical and preclinical MRI include respiratory, cardiovascular and gastro-intestinal studies; as well as research relating to oncology, arthritis and metabolic disorders. Recent developments in genome research and molecular biology have resulted in increased use of preclinical MRI applications in animals. Rapid phenotyping of transgenic animals and molecular imaging are but two applications which have extended the role of preclinical MRI in the field of Pharmacology.
Molecular medicine - as a swiftly developing independent academic subject - has become positively interdisciplinary, attracting professionals from areas as widely distinctive as cardiology, oncology, immunology, neurology, biology, chemistry, genetics, genomics, nuclear medicine, radiology and pharmacology.
Molecular imaging aims to reveal the source of disease carriers through the combined use of molecular biomarkers and probes, using a vast variety of preclinical imaging techniques.
