ANALYTICAL SCIENCES APRIL 2015, VOL. 31 2015 © The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry
Guest Editorial “Molecular Imaging for Bioanalysis” Since 1665, when Dr. Robert Hooke discovered cells from cork using a microscope, imaging technologies for living organisms have contributed to the elucidation of novel life phenomena such as the discovery of the virus or intracellular organelles. Particularly, advancements in molecular biology in the 1970s relied strongly upon innovations in analytic techniques, as represented by capillary electrophoresis for DNA sequencing and mass spectrometry for proteome analysis. However, molecular biology involves analyses using destructive cells, so that analysis of an organism in its living state has been almost impossible. This means that imaging of living organisms and understanding the organisms at the molecular level are a tradeoff relation, indeed. Molecular imaging, breaking through the tradeoff relation, is the technology of observing a specific biomolecule of a living organism in real time. One of the representative core technologies is fluorescence imaging, which emerged upon the discovery of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the development of the fluorescent calcium indicator. In addition to probe development, progress on imaging systems, such as the use of non-linear optics or high-sensitive CCD cameras, are indispensable for the development of new imaging technologies. Furthermore, various innovative imaging technologies using different electromagnetic waves as well as visible light are now emerging. Analytical chemists are expected to contribute a great deal to further development in the field of molecular imaging. The editorial committee of Analytical Sciences decided to publish a special issue entitled “Molecular Imaging for Bioanalysis”, aimed at disseminating the attraction of molecular imaging to readers, in light of the background described above. This special issue comprises 6 review papers, 4 original papers, and 2 notes. Interdisciplinary knowledge and technology are needed to further promote development and innovation of imaging studies. We would like the readers to Analytical Sciences to gain a comprehensive understanding of the present state and issues facing molecular imaging, and to join and contribute to the imaging field with novel information and creative ideas. Finally, sincere gratitude is extended to all authors and advisors for their cooperation on the occasion of publishing this special issue. In concluding this remark, I would like to personally acknowledge Prof. Naoki Hirayama for his thoughtful editorial support from the planning to publication of this special issue. Prof. Takeaki Ozawa Guest Editor, Analytical Sciences Department of Chemistry, School of Science The University of Tokyo E-mail: [email protected]
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Guest Editorial “Molecular Imaging for Bioanalysis” Since 1665, when Dr. Robert Hooke discovered cells from cork using a microscope, imaging technologies for living organisms have contributed to the elucidation of novel life phenomena such as the discovery of the virus or intracellular organelles. Particularly, advancements in molecular biology in the 1970s relied strongly upon innovations in analytic techniques, as represented by capillary electrophoresis for DNA sequencing and mass spectrometry for proteome analysis. However, molecular biology involves analyses using destructive cells, so that analysis of an organism in its living state has been almost impossible. This means that imaging of living organisms and understanding the organisms at the molecular level are a tradeoff relation, indeed. Molecular imaging, breaking through the tradeoff relation, is the technology of observing a specific biomolecule of a living organism in real time. One of the representative core technologies is fluorescence imaging, which emerged upon the discovery of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the development of the fluorescent calcium indicator. In addition to probe development, progress on imaging systems, such as the use of non-linear optics or high-sensitive CCD cameras, are indispensable for the development of new imaging technologies. Furthermore, various innovative imaging technologies using different electromagnetic waves as well as visible light are now emerging. Analytical chemists are expected to contribute a great deal to further development in the field of molecular imaging. The editorial committee of Analytical Sciences decided to publish a special issue entitled “Molecular Imaging for Bioanalysis”, aimed at disseminating the attraction of molecular imaging to readers, in light of the background described above. This special issue comprises 6 review papers, 4 original papers, and 2 notes. Interdisciplinary knowledge and technology are needed to further promote development and innovation of imaging studies. We would like the readers to Analytical Sciences to gain a comprehensive understanding of the present state and issues facing molecular imaging, and to join and contribute to the imaging field with novel information and creative ideas. Finally, sincere gratitude is extended to all authors and advisors for their cooperation on the occasion of publishing this special issue. In concluding this remark, I would like to personally acknowledge Prof. Naoki Hirayama for his thoughtful editorial support from the planning to publication of this special issue. Prof. Takeaki Ozawa Guest Editor, Analytical Sciences Department of Chemistry, School of Science The University of Tokyo E-mail: [email protected]
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