ABSTRACT
Targeted molecular imaging is a powerful technique because it leads to measurement of the interaction of a radiolabeled probe with a low density binding site such as receptors and enzymes by non-invasive, external imaging. Experiments at the beginning of the 20th century led to the hypothesis that there must be a specific binding site for a specific biological action. The concept of receptor binding ligands and receptors has an equally long history. The post-genomic technique that is closest to molecular imaging is proteomics. The use of multiple imaging probes led to an understanding of the various biochemical parameters involved in obesity and ultimately cardiac performance. Just as structure-activity relationships have been the foundation of classic drug design, structure-distribution studies are the backbone of radiopharmaceutical development. Much of the structure activity relationships are modeled using various programs using homology modeling. Molecular Imaging’s major contribution appears to be in accelerating the process of drug development and in monitoring therapy, especially individualized-medicine approaches.
