A novel image probing system for precise quantification of angiogenesis

The rapid development of clinical diagnostic imaging technology, in tandem with medical and angiogenesis research, has led to some major advances in healthcare. The chorioallantoic membrane assay is commonly used for studying normal angiogenesis as well as putative angiogenic and antiangiogenic substances. Despite the progress, it is generally recognized that a major problem is the lack of a suitable quantitative bioassay for angiogenesis. Image probing is a novel solution to this problem, which, together with its associated discipline of evaluating angiogenesis, is showing great potential not only for accurate measurement of even very small blood vessels but also for detailed three-dimensional quantification of blood vessels and surface characterization. This technique could be a helpful tool for quantification in angiogenesis research.