**4.1. Molecular imaging**

#### *Regenerative techniques – Stem cell technology and cellular tracking*

Advances in the biology of stem cells have evoked great interest in cell replacement therapies for the regeneration of heart tissue after myocardial infarction. Despite the initial controversial results from human trials [Rosenzweig 2006] due to the uncertain and unclear long-term fate, target-destination of the injected cells, their engraftment and viability, scientific interest and excitement remains high.

Employing high-resolution MRI in association with metabolism, iron-oxide labeled cells [Stuckey 2006] can be tracked and visualized thereby monitoring their migration patterns and ultimate engraftment fate in tissues of interest.
