Textbook of in vivo Imaging in Vertebrates (PDF)

This book describes the new imaging techniques being developed to
monitor physiological, cellular and subcellular function within
living animals. This exciting field of imaging science brings
together physics, chemistry, engineering, biology and medicine to
yield powerful and versatile imaging approaches. By combining
advanced non-invasive imaging technologies with new mechanisms for
visualizing biochemical events and protein and gene function,
non-invasive vertebrate imaging enables the in vivo study of
biology and offers rapid routes from basic discovery to drug
development and clinical application. Combined with the
availability of an increasing number of animal models of human
disease, and the ability to perform longitudinal studies of disease
evolution and of the long-term effects of therapeutic procedures,
this new technology offers the next generation of tools for
biomedical research.

Well illustrated, largely in colour, the book reviews the most
common and technologically advanced methods for vertebrate imaging,
presented in a clear, comprehensive format. The basic
principles are described, followed by several examples of the use
of imaging in the study of living multicellular organisms,
concentrating on small animal models of human diseases. The
book illustrates:

* The types of information that can be obtained with modern in
vivo imaging;

* The substitution of imaging methods for more destructive
histological techniques;

* The advantages conferred by in vivo imaging in building
a more accurate picture of the response of tissues to stimuli over
time while significantly reducing the number of animals required
for such studies.

Part 1 describes current techniques in in vivo imaging,
providing specialists and laboratory scientists from all
disciplines with clear and helpful information regarding the tools
available for their specific research field. Part 2 looks in
more detail at imaging organ development and function, covering the
brain, heart, lung and others. Part 3 describes the use of
imaging to monitor various new types of therapy, following the
reaction in an individual organism over time, e.g. after gene or
cell therapy.

Most chapters are written by teams of physicists and biologists,
giving a balanced coherent description of each technique and its
potential applications.