Bakalova Rumiana, Zhelev Zhivko, Gadjeva Veselina
Department of Biophysics, Molecular Imaging Center, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-91 Anagawa, Inage-kun, Chiba-shi, Chiba 263-8555, Japan.
Gen Physiol Biophys. 2008 Dec;27(4):231-42.
The use of fluorescence in deep-tissue imaging is rapidly expanding in last several years. The progress in fluorescent molecular probes and fluorescent imaging techniques gives an opportunity to detect single cells and even molecular targets in live organisms. The highly sensitive and high-speed fluorescent molecular sensors and detection devices allow the application of fluorescence in functional imaging. With the development of novel bright fluorophores based on nanotechnologies and 3D fluorescence scanners with high spatial and temporal resolution, the fluorescent imaging has a potential to become an alternative of the other non-invasive imaging techniques as magnetic resonance imaging, positron-emission tomography, X-ray, computing tomography. The fluorescent imaging has also a potential to give a real map of human anatomy and physiology. The current review outlines the advantages of fluorescent nanoparticles over conventional organic dyes in deep-tissue imaging in vivo and defines the major requirements to the "perfect fluorophore". The analysis proceeds from the basic principles of fluorescence and major characteristics of fluorophores, light-tissue interactions, and major limitations of fluorescent deep-tissue imaging. The article is addressed to a broad readership - from specialists in this field to university students.
在过去几年中，荧光在深部组织成像中的应用正在迅速扩展。荧光分子探针和荧光成像技术的进展为在活生物体中检测单个细胞甚至分子靶点提供了机会。高灵敏度和高速荧光分子传感器及检测设备使得荧光在功能成像中得以应用。随着基于纳米技术的新型明亮荧光团以及具有高空间和时间分辨率的三维荧光扫描仪的发展，荧光成像有可能成为磁共振成像、正电子发射断层扫描、X射线、计算机断层扫描等其他非侵入性成像技术的替代方法。荧光成像还有可能给出人体解剖学和生理学的真实图谱。本综述概述了荧光纳米颗粒在体内深部组织成像中相对于传统有机染料的优势，并明确了对“完美荧光团”的主要要求。分析从荧光的基本原理、荧光团的主要特性、光与组织的相互作用以及荧光深部组织成像的主要局限性出发。本文面向广泛的读者群体——从该领域的专家到大学生。
