Recipe for a new imaging biomarker: carefully combine target, reagent, and technology

A careful combination of biological targeting moieties (C3 fragments), imaging reagents (a small particle of iron oxide), and appropriate technology (T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging) is the key to the successful development of an imaging agent for glomerulonephritis. This recipe applies to virtually any molecular imaging probe for the kidney and throughout the body. However, each organ and disease requires a unique combination of these three components in order to achieve success.