Molecular imaging and gene therapy.

Molecular imaging is an emerging field of study that deals with imaging of disease on a cellular or genetic level rather than on a gross level. Recent advances in this field show promise, particularly in the imaging of gene expression. This article reviews the use of nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance, and optic imaging to visualize gene expression. A review is presented of current in vitro assays for protein and gene expression and the translation of these methods into the radiologic sciences. The merging fields of molecular biology, molecular medicine, and imaging modalities may provide the means to screen active drugs in vivo, image molecular processes, and diagnose disease at a presymptomatic stage.