Book excerpt: The detection and measurement of the dynamic regulation and interactions of cells and proteins within the living cell are critical to the understanding of cellular biology and pathophysiology. The multidisciplinary field of molecular imaging of living subjects continues to expand with dramatic advances in chemistry, molecular biology, therapeutics, engineering, medical physics and biomedical applications. Molecular Imaging: Principles and Practice, Volumes 1 and 2, Second Edition provides the first point of entry for physicians, scientists, and practitioners. This authoritative reference book provides a comprehensible overview along with in-depth presentation of molecular imaging concepts, technologies and applications making it the foremost source for both established and new investigators, collaborators, students and anyone interested in this exciting and important field. - The most authoritative and comprehensive resource available in the molecular-imaging field, written by over 170 of the leading scientists from around the world who have evaluated and summarized the most important methods, principles, technologies and data - Concepts illustrated with over 600 color figures and molecular-imaging examples - Chapters/topics include, artificial intelligence and machine learning, use of online social media, virtual and augmented reality, optogenetics, FDA regulatory process of imaging agents and devices, emerging instrumentation, MR elastography, MR fingerprinting, operational radiation safety, multiscale imaging and uses in drug development - This edition is packed with innovative science, including theranostics, light sheet fluorescence microscopy, (LSFM), mass spectrometry imaging, combining in vitro and in vivo diagnostics, Raman imaging, along with molecular and functional imaging applications - Valuable applications of molecular imaging in pediatrics, oncology, autoimmune, cardiovascular and CNS diseases are also presented - This resource helps integrate diverse multidisciplinary concepts associated with molecular imaging to provide readers with an improved understanding of current and future applications