The facility will produce a reliable supply of isotopes for the United States Department of Energy Isotope Program.
(Photography: Steve Wood)The University of Alabama at Birmingham Cyclotron Facility has been selected to join the United States Department of Energy Isotope Program as a University Partner. The UAB Cyclotron Facility is the third university to join the University Isotope Network and will produce a reliable supply of isotopes focused on advancing scientific research. This partnership will bring three new isotopes to the Isotope Program’s product catalog: cobalt-55, manganese-52 and vanadium-48.
Although these new isotopes are in the radiochemistry and pre-clinical phase, they will eventually lead to the development of certain imaging agents, which visualize cellular activity within the body. Imaging agents are developed for different targets in the body. When injected, these agents target specific cellular processes to improve our understanding of disease and ultimately help physicians determine how well organs and tissues are functioning. This aids in the development of a personalized treatment plan for each patient.
“We are honored that UAB has been selected to join the DOE University Isotope Program,” said Suzanne Lapi, Ph.D., UAB Cyclotron Facility director and professor in the Department of Radiology. “This program is incredibly selective and allows us to continue enabling new activities in the radio pharmaceutical space that will ultimately lead to the development of new imaging agents.”
Lapi explains that one of the most important aspects of the program is what it could mean for patients across the United States.
“Each disease has specific markers that allow researchers to better understand a patient’s condition,” Lapi said. “We are always looking to develop new imaging agents to identify new markers in hopes of providing physicians with a better way of offering the best possible care for their patients. Isotopes play a vital role in developing these agents.”
The Department of Energy selected UAB for this program to bring up the next generation of isotopes. The goal of the isotope program is to enhance isotope supply and work to make them nationally available. Lapi says that, recently, the DOE has been working with specialized facilities, like universities, that have expertise in these areas.
UAB’s isotopes are developed with the Cyclotron Facility’s TR24 cyclotron, a unique resource for an academic medical center in the United States. This powerful cyclotron is a particle accelerator that creates isotopes for medical imaging agents for clinical and research applications. The facility currently produces over 15 radioisotopes for medical applications in preclinical studies and clinical trials.
“As a member of this program, the UAB Cyclotron Facility is building on its current successes and continues to grow and expand its portfolio in the clinical trial space and the radiochemistry space,” Lapi said. “Our program is a center for team science and allows us to enhance the program’s visibility and showcase its unique strengths to people across the country.”