Development of a platform for preclinical molecular magnetic resonance imaging

Outline: In preclinical development the value of imaging techniques is constantly increasing. On one hand imaging can reduce the number of animals needed in pharmacologic studies significantly. On the other hand it provides the possibility of intra-individual studies over time. Classical contrast enhanced MRI provides high-quality anatomical and some limited physiological information. In preclinical research, however, in vivo molecular information is of major interest. While at present, PET imaging is the method of choice owing to ist high sensitivity, molecular MRI may emerge as a more cost-effective non-radioa…