Molecular imaging is a new interdisciplinary field that provides intuitive
images of the physiology and biophysics of normal and malfunctioning organs
by means of PET, MRI and Optical Imaging. This discipline is expected to be
a vital tool in supplying early diagnoses of pathological conditions and therefore
enabling treatment strategies to be optimized. The Molecular Imaging Center(MIC)
has been organized with the principal aim of developing molecular imaging technology
for use in a clinical setting.
The MIC consists of four groups. The Molecular Probe Group develops radiolabeled
ligands as probes for neurological, psychiatric and oncological diagnoses.
It also develops apparatus for the automatic synthesis of ligands. The Molecular
Neuroimaging Group analyzes the pathophysiology of psychiatric disease and
dementia, establishes early diagnoses of these diseases, and develops methods
to optimize drug treatment. The Diagnosis Imaging Group analyzes the pathophysiology
of cancer using mice, and develops techniques for the early diagnosis of
cancer. The Biophysics Group develops methods for accurate measurements of
biological
parameters with PET and MRI in humans and animals.
