5. Quantitative autoradiography

For a better study of the functionality of a metabolic process, it is not only necessary to study the localization of the process, but also to measure its intensity from the accumulation of radioactivity in an area of interest that can extend from the whole body down to the subcellular level.

In the case of whole-body quantification, the distribution of the labelled compound and its metabolites is classically assessed using two techniques: either by sacrificing animals at different times, then weighing the various organs and counting their radioactivity (Bq.g ^–1 ), or by scintigraphic imaging using a positron emission gamma camera (PET). These two techniques suffer mainly from a lack of spatial resolution and problems linked to the type of radioactive emission:

• beta emission:...