Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was discovered in the realm of Physics in 1946. In the decades that followed, this was the domain of Chemistry. In the seventies, NMR was applied to biomedical sciences and emerged as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and as in vivo MR Spectroscopy by 1980. This route of evolution of MR technology saw its application to other areas as life sciences, agriculture and geological sciences. Notable was its innate quality of being radiation-free and non-destructive, which enabled its global acceptance as diagnostic imaging modality in medical world. MRI application spread to Forestry, Food Technology, Agriculture and Plant Sciences. MRI continued to make impact due to the possibility of looking into living beings.

The conceptual framework for this book followed the Award of Nobel Prize to Dr. Paul C. Lauterbur and Dr. Peter Mansfield for discovery of MRI in 2003. The period offered further refinements of MR technology viz. Fast scan, 3D Imaging, Flow Imaging, MR Microscopy extending the application. It was felt desirable to project these wide ranging applications- especially non-clinical MRI/MRS - depicting a canvas so to say all in one place, so as to appreciate the varied areas where MR technology was applied and beneficial results accrued.

The book is a result of the concept shared with internationally placed experts who readily agreed to contribute a chapter of their MRI/MRS specialty. In all 37 experts contributed to the book comprising of 19 chapters, fulfilling the vision of large canvas of MR technology applications.

"Looking into living things through MRI", besides being an inviting title, provides insights into diverse life forms. The chapter on Wood takes one for MRI tour inside the live tree and follows the process of drying of young wood, giving perception of water movement from central (vascular) tissue elements and exit route by capillary process, resulting in final product - wood. This is immensely readable scientific account of wood structure as seen by MRI. Equally interesting chapters follow viz fruit quality assessment of apples, citrus fruit and wine grapes by MRI, alerting readers as to how to pre-judge fruit quality and help grade them in non destructive manner providing value addition. Insight is gained in bread making process from dough stage to baked bread as also including fresh/frozen dough. Further MRI application finds one looking inside 'croissant' structure and the contents of a 'sandwich' are revealed prior to its consumption. Further application includes exploring fish meat quality providing new possibilities of exploring seafood, meat structure and ripening process of Iberian Ham by MRI.

MR microscopy is presented like a mini review offering technological details and extensive examples and rich bibliography. One is taken on to cellular level of organization of living things by MR Microscopy. A case is made like project proposal in chapter 'MRI from flora to fauna' illustrating possibilities of MR applications, appealing venture capital.

It was inevitable to include MRI/MRS application to human subjects. Thus chapter on MR study of implantology illustrates new application in Dentistry; chapter on MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangio Pancreatography) shows MRI in clinical scenario; chapter on new MRI pulse sequences provides research angle. Likewise, Lithium in mammalian systems explores possibilities with other magnetic nuclei amenable to MRI. MRI in lung shows different perception of lung. The difficulties faced in respect of proton imaging such as motional artifact are reduced with the help of asymmetric imaging and rapid line scan etc. and the study of lung diseases like pulmonary edema and emphysema are presented.

Super paramagnetic iron oxide nano particles are also useful as MRI contrast agents. A preliminary study showing the use of magnetic particles as nano probes in an experimental animal system is presented in this chapter.

It is an honor to have Dr. Paul C. Lauterbur, Nobel Laureate write the Foreword for this book. Our heartfelt gratefulness to him for his valuable lines given, in making this effort memorable one.

The success of this book has come due to timely contributions from all the Authors, without whom this book would not have been possible. We greatly acknowledge their efforts and also thank them for their cooperativeness in making changes whenever requested.

We are thankful to Mr. Ajit Nagpurkar of Prism Publications for sharing this concept and for agreeing to publish this book. We thank his team for meticulous rendering of the Text and Images, while preparing the manuscript.

May we both place on record the tremendous joy of fulfillment of the task, we had taken up jointly and for that support of family and friends - we say resounding thank you !

Ramesh S. Chaughule

Shrikrishna S. Ranade

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