Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging includes the field of nuclear medicine along with various other fields that together offer different ways of producing images. Nuclear medicine uses radiolabelled molecules (radiotracers) that produce signals by means of radioactive decay. However, other molecules can be used to produce signals to image via means of sound (ultrasound), magnetism (magnetic resonance imaging - MRI), or light (optical techniques of bioluminescence and fluorescence).

In contrast with conventional anatomical or physiological imaging, in vivo molecular imaging characterises and monitors biological processes at the cellular and molecular levels. Molecular imaging techniques include Positron Emission Tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optoacoustic imaging including optical fluorescence and optical bioluminescence.

Expertise and facilities are available for PET, Computed Tomography (CT), optical imaging, mass spectrometry imaging and MRI applications, as well as the development of radioactive tracers.

For more information about using the CAI molecular imaging facilities in your research, read our molecular imaging technical brochure (below) or contact the Facility Manager.