Engineering molecular imaging strategies for regenerative medicine

Abstract

The reshaping of the world's aging population has created an urgent need for therapies for chronic diseases. Regenerative medicine offers a ray of hope, and its complex solutions include material, cellular, or tissue systems. We review basics of regenerative medicine/stem cells and describe how the field of molecular imaging, which is based on quantitative, noninvasive, imaging of biological events in living subjects, can be applied to regenerative medicine in order to interrogate tissues in innovative, informative, and personalized ways. We consider aspects of regenerative medicine for which molecular imaging will benefit. Next, genetic and nanoparticle‐based cell imaging strategies are discussed in detail, with modalities like magnetic resonance imaging, optical imaging (near infra‐red, bioluminescence), raman microscopy, and photoacoustic microscopy), ultrasound, computed tomography, single‐photon computed tomography, and positron emission tomography. We conclude with a discussion of “next generation” molecular imaging strategies, including imaging host tissues prior to cell/tissue transplantation.

The Science and Engineering of Stem Cell–Derived Organoids-Examples from Hepatic, Biliary, and Pancreatic Tissues

“…Noninvasive imaging is an important tool in regenerative medicine for interrogating tissues (Willadsen, Chaise et al 2018) and specifically, organoid imaging has recently been reviewed (Rios and Clevers 2018;Walsh, Cook et al 2017). Noninvasive imaging enables the assessment of biological processes without tissue fixation/destruction, such that each subject can serve as its own control, and biological pathways are intact.…”

A novel MRI compatible mouse fracture model to characterize and monitor bone regeneration and tissue composition

“…Acquisition parameters for FLASH images were TE/TR, 6.7 ms/30.8 ms; flip angle, 15°; FOV, 25 × 65 × 6 mm 3 ; resolution, 39 × 39 × 39 µm3 ; averages,10.For UTE images TE/TR, 20 µs/ 10 ms; FOV, 14 × 14 × 25 mm 3 ; resolution, 78 × 78 × 139 µm3 were used.In vivo MRI. Mice were anesthetized with 2% isoflurane and were monitored for core body temperature and respiration rate using a MRI-compatible monitoring system (SA Instruments, Stony Brook, NY).…”

“…The body temperature was kept stable using a warming pad. Imaging was performed using the following sequences and parameters: 3D FLASH TE/TR, 3.1 ms/20 ms; flip angle, 10°; FOV, 45 × 25 × 26 mm 3 ; resolution, 88 × 98 × 197 µm3 ; averages:2. 3D UTE TE/TR, 20 µs/8 ms; FOV, 24 × 30 × 40 mm3 ; resolution, 188 × 234 × 312 µm3 .…”

“…Imaging was performed using the following sequences and parameters: 3D FLASH TE/TR, 3.1 ms/20 ms; flip angle, 10°; FOV, 45 × 25 × 26 mm 3 ; resolution, 88 × 98 × 197 µm3 ; averages:2. 3D UTE TE/TR, 20 µs/8 ms; FOV, 24 × 30 × 40 mm3 ; resolution, 188 × 234 × 312 µm3 . Axial T2 weighted MSME image: TE/TR, 10.9 ms/5312.1 ms; FOV, 27.7 × 21.0 mm 2 , resolution, 201 × 201 µm 2 , slice thickness, 0.3 mm.…”

Editorial: The launch phase of Bioengineering & Translational Medicine

“…In terms of scientific topics, BioTM has focused on subjects where Engineering, Chemical Engineering in particular, has made a strong fundamental and translational impact on the field. These topics include drug delivery, Nucleic acid delivery, Regenerative Medicine, Biotechnology, Nanomedicine, Biomedical Devices, and immunotherapy . We look forward to continue building our strengths in these fields and expand the list to include additional key areas.…”