Carlos J. Perez-Torres1, Cynthia A. Massaad2, Faridis Serrano2, Robia G. Pautler1,2
1Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; 2Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
To visualize gene expression via any imaging modality, a reporter system needs to be instituted that causes sufficient contrast between the tissues where the gene is expressed compared to other tissues where the gene is not expressed. Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) is a widely used molecular and gene expression marker. We report a technique to detect GFP by using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) through Magnetization Transfer Contrast (MTC). GFP was detected with MTC MRI both in vitro and in vivo. This system provides a flexible, non-invasive in vivo molecular imaging system that has the advantage of combining readily available materials.
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