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Radiochemistry research and development

ANSTO LifeSciences has capabilities and facilities for radiochemistry research and development including the development of radioligands for imaging such as PET and SPECT and targeted radioisotope therapy.

The radiochemistry group within the Research and Innovation programme at ANSTO develops novel radioligands for imaging (PET, SPECT) and targeted radioisotope therapy. The group is also involved in developing technologies to incorporate isotopes through molecular design, use of conjugates and novel macrocycles.

Capabilities

Radiochemical Synthesis

  • Radioligand preparation of small organic molecules, peptides proteins and cells using traditional, microwave and/or microfluidic radiochemistry
  • Automation of radioligand synthesis utilizing commercial and custom designed reactor modules.
  • Accessible radioisotopes for imaging applications: 18F, 123I, 125I, 99Tc, 64Cu, 67Ga, 68Ga, and coming soon 11C and 89Zr in 2011
  • Accessible radioisotopes for therapeutic applications: 131I, 177Lu, 64Cu, 90Y

Radiochemical Analysis

  • Radioligand analysis using radioHPLC for:
    • radiochemical purity
    • chemical purity
    • specific activity
    • stability
  • Radiometabolite analysis including:
    • Radio HPLC methods
    • Radio TLC methods
    • Solid Phase Extraction methods (for fast throughput)

Other capabilities

  • Translational clinical research (Technology transfers)
  • Design and development of drug and ligands suitable for radiolabeling
  • Development of automated procedures for commercialisation of products
  • Training/Teaching
  • Provide Research tracers developed at ANSTO for further evaluation
  • Gamma spectrometry of mixed radioisotope samples

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Facilities

Radiochemistry laboratories

  • More than 15 laboratories, located at both Lucas Heights and Camperdown
  • 17 remote manipulation radioisotope handling facilities (Hot Cells)
  • 16 Lead lined fume hoods

Isotopes

Isotope access through:

  • Cyclotron 18 MeV at Camperdown facility for PET radioisotopes (18F and 11C)
  • Commercial sources (123I,125I, 131I, 67Ga, 68Ga, 177Lu)
  • Custom irradiations in OPAL Reactor for SPECT and therapeutic radioisotopes.

Automation modules and new radiolabelling technology platforms

  • GE Tracerlabs FxFn (x3)
  • Nuclear Interface FDG module
  • Synthra RN Plus (x2)
  • Synthra MeI Plus (x2)
  • In house built automation modules
  • Microfluidic chemistry is investigated using an Advion Nanotek LF
  • Microwave chemistry is investigated using a CEM Discover

Radiolabelling of peptides and proteins

  • Symphony peptide synthesiser (Protein Technologies, Inc.)
  • Freeze drier (FTS, FlexiDry)
  • Minus 80 freezer (Thermo)
  • Heating and cooling centrifuge (Sigma, 2-16KC)
  • Centrifugal concentrator (Labconco, CentriVap)
  • Gradient HPLC: ion exchange, affinity, size exclusion, (Waters)
    • Variable wavelength detectors (Dual λ, UV/VIS Photo Diode Array)
    • Scintillation high activity and high sensitivity radio-flow detectors
  • Fiber coupled UV/VIS/NIR spectrometer (Comet Black)
  • Ion-Chamber (Capintec, CRC)
  • Portable heating/chilling recirculator
  • Dialysis and ultrafiltration equipment

Radiometabolite analysis

  • Ultrasonicator (Misonix S4000) and centrifuge for sample preparation
  • Gamma counter (Wallac Wizard 2480) for quantification
  • Radio TLC anaylsis using a phosphorimager (Fuji Bas5000) or RadioTLC scanner (Berthold Tracemaster 20)
  • Radio HPLC using UV visible, Posi-RAM (Model 3 IN/US systems) and Gamma-RAM (Model 4 IN/US systems) detectors
  • LCMS (Waters Micromass ZQ) analysis of non radioactive metabolites

Radioligand analysis

  • HPLC (Reverse phase, normal phase, ion exchange, affinity, size exclusion)
  • Variable wavelength detectors (Dual and PDA)
  • Scintillation high activity and high sensitivity radio-flow detectors
  • Radio TLC/iTLC using a phosphorimager, radio TLC scanner or Wallac 1470 gamma counter.

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Related research

Areas of interest

  • Novel radiochemistry methodology and radiolabelling techniques such as novel ways to incorporate 18F, 11C and development of synthons
  • New technologies to decrease radiolabelling time and increase radiolabelling efficiences such as microfluidic and microwave radiochemistry
  • Automation technology both from a safety perspective and for routine applications
  • Development of novel macrocycles and conjugation approaches to attach a radiolabelled entity to small molecules, peptides or proteins

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