Scope of the research
Radiopharmaceuticals Stream
In the last decade, the use of PET in neurology, cardiology and oncology has grown rapidly. Current PET applications are mainly based on the imaging characteristics of a single radiotracer, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). The tracer is used to help identify areas of high glycolytic activity - a metabolic process by which a cell breaks down glucose to release energy - such as a group of cancer cells.
FDG is consequently a very useful tracer, but it does not work as effectively in a number of disease states where glucose activity is not up-regulated or increased. Therefore, it does not produce an effective image, despite the existence of abnormal cells. New tracers are required to be developed that can target other cell characteristics such as protein synthesis, cell proliferation, hypoxia and receptor binding, which can also indicate the presence of abnormal cells.
Molecules for further investigation and development are selected on the basis of clinical advice about relevant biological processes that may indicate cell abnormality. Recent developments in chemistry allow all possible combinations of molecules to be used as a starting resource for developing a tracer. Similarly, there is now a greater understanding of disease mechanisms; together these advances are creating opportunities to identify potential new radiotracers. Applications include identification and treatment for cancers, as well as conditions such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.
CRCBID participants are developing new and improved radiotracers with high specificity for cancer and neurological diseases such as epilepsy, together with chemical processes for the on-site production of radiotracers.
The Radiopharmaceuticals Stream Leader is Professor Rodney Hicks
Project 1.1 Protein biosynthetic pathway for PET imaging
Project 1.2 Neuroreceptor ligand targeting for PET imaging
Project 1.3 Development of novel receptor-based radiopharmaceuticals
Project 1.4 Apoptotic pathway targeting for PET imaging
Project 1.5 Development of synthesis modules for tracer production
Detectors Stream
The new radiotracers developed by CRCBID participants will enable much more specific imaging of the biological processes associated with the causes of particular diseases. However, research is also required to further develop the capacity of the detector systems that capture the images.
Current X-ray systems are limited to providing the equivalent of black and white pictures. This means it can still be quite difficult to identify soft tissue abnormalities such as cancers or soft tissue sports injuries. CRCBID’s Detectors Stream is conducting ongoing research and development to advance the quality and clarity of X-ray images by resolving the energy of the detected photons, resulting in a system that can provide colour pictures.
The Detectors Stream Leader is Professor Rob Lewis
Project 2.2 Pixel array detector
