Chapter 7: Combined Fluorescence and MRI in Bioimaging

Accurate understanding of the entire biological system requires the acquisition and integration of structural and functional information at multiple levels and scales, from molecules to cells, to tissues and ultimately the human body. Bioimaging techniques have endowed researchers with access to accurate measurement and visualization of life activities. Yet, to date, no single imaging modality is fit for all requirements for imaging biological processes in a cross-scale approach. Thus, it is a great challenge to break through the barriers between scale and modality, and to comprehensively and accurately analyze the mysteries of life and the occurrence and development of major diseases. This chapter will discuss the design of bioimaging probes that combine magnetic resonance imaging and fluorescence imaging. In addition, the basic principles and recent progress will be briefly summarized.