Update on the development of molecular imaging and nanomedicine in China: Optical imaging

Abstract

Molecular imaging has received increased attention worldwide, including in China, because it offers noninvasive characterization of widely diverse clinically significant pathologies. To achieve these goals, nanomedicine has evolved into a broad interdisciplinary field with flexible designs to accommodate and concentrate imaging and therapeutic payloads into pathological cells through selective binding to disease specific cell membrane biomarkers. This concept of personalized medicine reflects the vision of “magic bullets” proposed by German biochemist Paul Ehrlich over 100 years ago. As happening worldwide, Chinese scientists are contributing to this tsunami of science and technologies through impactful national programs and international research collaborations. This review provides a comprehensive update of Chinese innovations to address intractable unmet medical need in China and worldwide in the optical sciences. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > in vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Engineering molecular nanoprobes to target early atherosclerosis: Precise diagnostic tools and promising therapeutic carriers

“…As a non-invasive strategy, molecular imaging mainly targets specific molecules on the tissue and cell levels, and especially shows their changes in the pathological states, in order to have an in-depth understanding of the disease mechanisms, develop new pharmacological targets, and provide novel drug candidates [30,31]. Given the fact that it is an interdisciplinary subject, molecular imaging indeed involves many different subjects including medicine, radiology, biology, materials science, mathematics, and chemistry [32][33][34]. In terms of atherosclerosis, molecular imaging has the great potential to reveal deeper insights into cardiovascular inflammation and how it evolves over time [35][36][37][38].…”

Smart Biomimetic Nanozymes for Precise Molecular Imaging: Application and Challenges

“…PET scanners detect isotopes in deep tissues at picomolar concentrations [ 197 ]. This unique sensitivity can be used to obtain quantitative information from drugs that have accumulated at target sites [ 198 ]. In addition, the amount of nanomaterial needed for PET imaging is minimal, and the substance will not interfere with biological systems and is unlikely to induce toxic reactions [ 199 ].…”