Cell and Molecular Biology

Abstract

One of the most important characteristics of a true radiotracer or a molecular imaging probe is the ability to study the components of a homeostatic system with out disturbing its function. Understanding the basics of cell and molecular biology is essential in the design of targeted molecular imaging probes. Therefore, this chapter provides a broad overview and includes various sections on cell structure and function, the cell reproduction and cell cycle, cell transformation and differentiation, cell signaling and membrane receptors, cell and membrane transport mechanisms and finally cellular metabolism. The basics of genetic code, DNA transcription, and DNA translation leading to protein synthesis are briefly summarized. Since the goal of molecular imaging is to image the alterations associated with the pathophysiology of different diseases, the definition of disease, altered cellular and tissue and biology, and finally cellular injury its consequences are also briefly discussed at the end. These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.