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Molecular imaging with engineered physiology

Author

Listed:
  • Mitul Desai

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Adrian L. Slusarczyk

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Ashley Chapin

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Mariya Barch

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Alan Jasanoff

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Abstract

In vivo imaging techniques are powerful tools for evaluating biological systems. Relating image signals to precise molecular phenomena can be challenging, however, due to limitations of the existing optical, magnetic and radioactive imaging probe mechanisms. Here we demonstrate a concept for molecular imaging which bypasses the need for conventional imaging agents by perturbing the endogenous multimodal contrast provided by the vasculature. Variants of the calcitonin gene-related peptide artificially activate vasodilation pathways in rat brain and induce contrast changes that are readily measured by optical and magnetic resonance imaging. CGRP-based agents induce effects at nanomolar concentrations in deep tissue and can be engineered into switchable analyte-dependent forms and genetically encoded reporters suitable for molecular imaging or cell tracking. Such artificially engineered physiological changes, therefore, provide a highly versatile means for sensitive analysis of molecular events in living organisms.

Suggested Citation

  • Mitul Desai & Adrian L. Slusarczyk & Ashley Chapin & Mariya Barch & Alan Jasanoff, 2016. "Molecular imaging with engineered physiology," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms13607
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13607
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