Innovative new radiotracers for biomedicine
Biomedical imaging has provided a window on cells and tissues in health and disease that has advanced basic knowledge as well as diagnostics and therapy. Underlying many of the functional imaging techniques is the use of radiolabelled tracers. For example, monitoring the metabolism of labelled glucose through imaging provides an indication of the level of activation of cells. The Initial Training Network created with EU support of the project RADIOMI (Innovative radiochemistry to advance molecular imaging) is preparing a new generation of radiochemists to develop radiotracers for functional imaging that are currently difficult or impossible to access. In particular, the focus is on short half-life, positron-emitting isotopes to label small molecules, peptides and libraries of compounds currently quite elusive. Close collaboration of academic teams with industrial partners will provide excellent training opportunities as well as rapid technology transfer. To date, 12 early-stage researchers (ESRs) have been recruited, half of whom are women. Two more positions were advertised and new fellows will be recruited in year 3. The first RADIOMI School included lectures and practical training by international experts. At the same event, the RADIOMI International Meeting hosted four internationally recognised leaders as invited speakers and provided a forum for the fellows to present their projects and discuss future research and collaborations. Finally, the first workshop, a three-day course on positron emission tomography technology and application, was also held alongside the School and Meeting. Team members are progressing toward evaluation and identification of fundamental problems in radiochemistry and radiolabelling. In parallel, scientists are working on technical innovations to speed translation to pre-clinical studies. RADIOMI ESRs commanded an important presence at over 30 national and international events, winning 1 prize for best oral communication and 2 prizes for best posters. The first newsletter and 10 outreach reports are available on the website. The project is delivering innovative new concepts for radiolabelling to significantly advance the production of probes for molecular imaging. Novel biomarkers with pre-clinical evaluation will enhance the competitive position of the EU imaging sector and the overall health and quality of life of EU citizens.
Keywords
Radiotracers, biomedicine, functional imaging, radiochemistry, molecular imaging
