Skip to main content

Table 1 Imaging techniques of interest in nutritional research

From: The challenges for molecular nutrition research 2: quantification of the nutritional phenotype

Type

Abbreviation

Principle

Application

Röntgen array

X-ray

Different absorption of ionizing radiation based on tissue density

Skeletal and dense inner organs

Computed tomography

CT or CAT scan

Focused X-ray pictures in several “slices” computerized to 3D images

Accurate imaging of organs and tissues

Positron emission tomography

PET

Injected radio-tracers are detected as gamma emitters

Detect blood flow, metabolic changes

Magnetic resonance

MR

Charged molecules are realigned in a strong and oscillating magnetic field with different rates

Soft tissues like adipose, muscle, heart, joints can be accurately quantified

Magnetic ressonance spectroscopy

MRS

MR combined with spectroscopy of protons, phosphorus, sodium, etc.

Linked to expression and regulation of transgenes

Bioluminscence

Luciferase promotes light emission upon activation

Detection of inflammatory response caused by supply of nutrients