Phenomic Imaging.

Human phenomics is defined as the comprehensive collection of observable phenotypes and characteristics influenced by a complex interplay among factors at multiple scales. These factors include genes, epigenetics at the microscopic level, organs, microbiome at the mesoscopic level, and diet and environmental exposures at the macroscopic level. "Phenomic imaging" utilizes various imaging techniques to visualize and measure anatomical structures, biological functions, metabolic processes, and biochemical activities across different scales, both in vivo and ex vivo. Unlike conventional medical imaging focused on disease diagnosis, phenomic imaging captures both normal and abnormal traits, facilitating detailed correlations between macro- and micro-phenotypes. This approach plays a crucial role in deciphering phenomes. This review provides an overview of different phenomic imaging modalities and their applications in human phenomics. Additionally, it explores the associations between phenomic imaging and other omics disciplines, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, immunomics, and metabolomics. By integrating phenomic imaging with other omics data, such as genomics and metabolomics, a comprehensive understanding of biological systems can be achieved. This integration paves the way for the development of new therapeutic approaches and diagnostic tools.

Protocol for Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Extraction of Imaging-Derived Phenotypes from the China Phenobank Project.

Imaging-derived phenotypes (IDPs) have been increasingly used in population-based cohort studies in recent years. As widely reported, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important imaging modality for assessing the anatomical structure and function of the brain with high resolution and excellent soft-tissue contrast. The purpose of this article was to describe the imaging protocol of the brain MRI in the China Phenobank Project (CHPP). Each participant underwent a 30-min brain MRI scan as part of a 2-h whole-body imaging protocol in CHPP. The brain imaging sequences included T1-magnetization that prepared rapid gradient echo, T2 fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery, magnetic resonance angiography, diffusion MRI, and resting-state functional MRI. The detailed descriptions of image acquisition, interpretation, and post-processing were provided in this article. The measured IDPs included volumes of brain subregions, cerebral vessel geometrical parameters, microstructural tracts, and function connectivity metrics.

Bioimaging of Dissolvable Microneedle Arrays: Challenges and Opportunities.

The emergence of microneedle arrays (MNAs) as a novel, simple, and minimally invasive administration approach largely addresses the challenges of traditional drug delivery. In particular, the dissolvable MNAs act as a promising, multifarious, and well-controlled platform for micro-nanotransport in medical research and cosmetic formulation applications. The effective delivery mostly depends on the behavior of the MNAs penetrated into the body, and accurate assessment is urgently needed. Advanced imaging technologies offer high sensitivity and resolution visualization of cross-scale, multidimensional, and multiparameter information, which can be used as an important aid for the evaluation and development of new MNAs. The combination of MNA technology and imaging can generate considerable new knowledge in a cost-effective manner with regards to the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of active substances for the treatment of various diseases. In addition, noninvasive imaging techniques allow rapid, receptive assessment of transdermal penetration and drug deposition in various tissues, which could greatly facilitate the translation of experimental MNAs into clinical application. Relying on the recent promising development of bioimaging, this review is aimed at summarizing the current status, challenges, and future perspective on in vivo assessment of MNA drug delivery by various imaging technologies.