Bioluminescent indicators for in vivo measurements of gene expression

Recent developments in in vivo imaging using optical, radionuclide and paramagnetic reporter probes now enables continuous measurements of gene expression in living animals. In vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is a sensitive, versatile and accessible imaging strategy that has been applied to a variety of small-animal models of human biology and disease. We discuss current strategies in BLI and the potential of combining BLI with other in vivo and ex vivo techniques. BLI will have a significant role in in vivo cellular and molecular imaging, a field that will help reveal the molecular basis of biology and disease.