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The development of in vivo imaging systems to study gene expression

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Imaging techniques are currently being developed to map the topography and level of gene expression following gene therapy. To date, two different imaging strategies have been investigated — using marker genes encoding either intracellular enzymes or cell-surface receptors. The first approach employs the ability of certain enzymes to modify imaging prodrugs, so that tissue accumulation of such drugs reflects the expression. The second approach utilises cell-surface expression of a ligand-binding receptor that can be detected using imaging tracers. In this review, we discuss nuclear- and magnetic-resonance-imaging techniques that have been developed to detect gene expression.

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