British Journal of Radiology (2003) 76, S97
© 2003 British Institute of Radiology
doi: 10.1259/bjr/13675329
Molecular imaging: investing in the future of the radiological sciences
A S K Dzik-Jurasz, PhD, FRCS, FRCR
GlaxoSmithKline, 890–991 Greenford Road, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 0HE, UK
This special issue of the British Journal of Radiology, based on the 2003 President's Day conference, highlights the growing importance and interest in the field of molecular imaging. The imaging of individual molecular events has been catalysed by two important developments; one, our understanding of the molecular basis of disease and two, the development of drugs directed at those molecular targets.
Although molecular imaging may seem a new discipline to us in the radiological sciences it is not so for biologists. The imaging of biological processes is central to the scientific method in natural science. The principal breakthroughs and the challenges for the future are to translate the work in vivo and ultimately into man. This will be achieved by integrating the appropriate knowledge and skills of chemistry, biology, radiology and engineering.
Boosting molecular imaging research in vivo will require careful consideration. Specialists who historically had no cause to collaborate will need to do so in the future. This will require learning each other's technical language and providing a forum for the exchange of ideas. Developing networks is one way forward and the recent creation of a Molecular Imaging Committee at the British Institute of Radiology is one such example. Molecular imaging will also create new and innovative collaborations between academia and industry, as molecular imaging will be a crucial tool in the development of new molecular therapies. The announcement of the development of an imaging centre by GlaxoSmithKline as part of a larger collaboration with Imperial College London demonstrates industry and academia's commitment in this area.
Finally it is worth considering the future role of radiology in respect of molecular imaging. No-one doubts the central role medical imaging takes in patient management – a role that can only increase. Who controls and gives direction to that growth remains, arguably, an open question. Today's imaging research defines the practice of the future. Currently, however, not enough research is directed into those areas of molecular imaging that will translate laboratory work into the clinic. Surely this is where radiology can exert its greatest influence. Radiological leaders should seize this opportunity and promote education and research into molecular imaging and promote a fascinating discipline that will undoubtedly influence imaging practice in the future.
