1. A dual modality imaging apparatus for investigating a sample located at a sample position, the apparatus comprising: a magnetic resonance imaging (=MRI) system, said magnetic resonance imaging system having a magnet with a room temperature bore within which the sample position is located, said room temperature bore having a longitudinal axis, said magnetic resonance imaging system further comprising a radio frequency coil having at least one window, said at least one window opening in a transverse direction, substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said room temperature bore, wherein said radio frequency coil is disposed within said room temperature bore and the sample is at least partially within said coil; and a fluorescence molecular tomography (=FMT) system having a mechanism for directing a light beam towards the sample position and a position-sensitive detector, said position-sensitive detector having electrical connections, said position-sensitive detector and said electrical connections being disposed within said bore and outside said radio frequency coil to detect fluorescence light from the sample, wherein at least part of the sample is imaged onto said position-sensitive detector, said mechanism for directing said light beam having a focusing device for focusing said light beam into a focal spot on the sample, a scanning device structured for continuously scanning said focal spot on the sample and a deflection mirror, said scanning device being disposed outside of said room temperature bore and said deflection mirror being disposed inside said room temperature bore, wherein said mechanism for directing said light beam, said radio frequency coil and said position-sensitive detector are disposed, structured and dimensioned such that said light beam enters said room temperature bore substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis and is deflected by said deflection mirror in a substantially transverse direction to pass through said at least one window of said radio frequency coil and illuminate the sample, wherein fluorescence light emanating from the sample passes through said at least one window in said radio frequency coil and is incident on said position sensitive detector, the apparatus thereby being adapted for simultaneous measurement of MRI data and FMT data.