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Imaging Molecules in Biomedical Research

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2025) | Viewed by 3087

Special Issue Editor


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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the application in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo of techniques for a molecular analysis in situ. Histochemistry and immunohistochemistry at light and electron microscopy, in situ hybridization, magnetic resonance imaging, optical imaging, photoacoustic imaging, ultrasound imaging, Raman microscopy enable the detection, characterization and quantification of biological markers and molecular pathways directly in the cytological/histological/anatomical context where they occur, thus bridging the gap between molecular and structural approaches. This is important in biomedical research since the presence, quantity or ectopic location of specific molecules may be crucial for detecting changes in tissue or cell function under physiological or pathological conditions.

We encourage the submission of original research articles or reviews on the application of these techniques to investigate pathological and physiological processes or to evaluate the efficacy of new therapeutic approaches. Methodological studies establishing novel techniques for imaging molecules in situ are also welcome.

Dr. Manuela Malatesta
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • biomedicine
  • histochemistry
  • immunohistochemistry
  • in situ hybridization
  • magnetic resonance imaging
  • optical imaging
  • photoacoustic imaging
  • ultrasound imaging
  • Raman microscopy

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1058 KB  
Article
Distinct Spectral Profiles of Pleural Effusions from Malignant Tumors Using Raman Spectroscopy
by Monika Kujdowicz, Piotr Jeleń, Maciej Sitarz, Marta Marcinek, Janusz Włodarczyk, Michał Wiłkojć, Lucyna Rudnicka and Dariusz Adamek
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(23), 11707; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311707 - 3 Dec 2025
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Abstract
Raman spectroscopy is a powerful method in the field of cancer diagnosis, for which various sample types and measurement modalities can be used. In this study, pleural effusion samples from twenty patients with suspected malignancies were analyzed. After fluid samples were fixed with [...] Read more.
Raman spectroscopy is a powerful method in the field of cancer diagnosis, for which various sample types and measurement modalities can be used. In this study, pleural effusion samples from twenty patients with suspected malignancies were analyzed. After fluid samples were fixed with ethanol and dried, high-quality spectra were taken at three different points using two laser lines. Principal Component Analysis showed clustering of spectra from malignant samples. The results show that despite a strong fluorescence signal from blood with the 532 nm laser line, spectra collected with both 532 nm and 785 nm laser lines are complementary, as they produce different high-intensity bands; e.g., breast cancer and adenocarcinoma signals are stronger with 785 nm. The main change in cancer specimens is an increase in amino acids. In addition, in small-cell carcinoma of the lung and mesothelioma, elevated nucleic acids and lipids were observed, respectively. Raman spectroscopy shows distinct profiles for control and malignant effusions. Further investigation of the utility of spectral markers in personalized treatment could improve survival. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Molecules in Biomedical Research)
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Review

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24 pages, 393 KB  
Review
Aging in the Skeletal Muscle Revealed by Molecular Immunohistochemical Imaging
by Manuela Malatesta and Barbara Cisterna
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(13), 5986; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26135986 - 22 Jun 2025
Viewed by 2331
Abstract
The skeletal muscle is a complex organ mainly composed of multinucleated fibres responsible for contractile activity, but it also contains postnatal myogenic stem cells (i.e., satellite cells), connective cells and nervous cells. The skeletal muscle is severely affected by aging, undergoing a progressive [...] Read more.
The skeletal muscle is a complex organ mainly composed of multinucleated fibres responsible for contractile activity, but it also contains postnatal myogenic stem cells (i.e., satellite cells), connective cells and nervous cells. The skeletal muscle is severely affected by aging, undergoing a progressive reduction in muscle mass, strength and endurance in a condition known as sarcopenia. The mechanisms underlying sarcopenia still need to be completely clarified, but they are undoubtedly multifactorial, involving all cell types constituting the skeletal muscle. Immunohistochemistry has widely been used to investigate skeletal muscle aging, identifying age-related molecular alterations in the various myofibre components, as well as in the satellite cells and peri-fibre environment. The wide range of immunohistochemical data reported in this review is proof of the primary role played by this long-established, yet modern, technique. Its high specificity for the molecules of interest, and the possibility of imaging and quantifying the signal in the real histological or cytological sites where these molecules are located and active, makes immunohistochemistry a unique and irreplaceable tool among the laboratory techniques in biomedicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Molecules in Biomedical Research)
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