Table 2.
Comparison of bioimaging modalities.
| Modality | Examples | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bioluminescence Imaging [63,64] | Luciferase | Highest sensitivity (10−15−10−17 mole/L) Medium cost High signal-to-noise (compared to fluorescence) |
Substrate needed Medium penetration (mm−cm) Low spatial resolution (mm) Low temporal resolution (sec−min) |
| Nuclear Imaging (PET/SPECT) [63,64,65] |
99 mTc | Highest penetration (m) High sensitivity (10−10−10−12 mole/L) Medium temporal resolution (10 s−min) |
Hazardous Low spatial resolution (mm) High cost |
| NIR Fluorescence Imaging [63,64] | DiR | Medium penetration (mm−cm) Medium sensitivity (10−9−10−12 mole/L) Low cost |
Low spatial resolution (mm) Low temporal resolution (s−min) |
| Fluorescent Protein Imaging [63,64] | GFP | Highest spatial resolution (nm) Medium sensitivity |
Lowest penetration (mm): does not allow noninvasive in vivo imaging |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) [63,64] | SPIO | Highest penetration (m) High spatial resolution (μm) Highest temporal resolution (min−h) |
Lowest sensitivity (10−3−10−5 mole/L) High cost |