Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging (also called nuclear medicine or nuclear imaging) can image the function of cells inside the body at the molecular level. This includes the imaging modalities of positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. How does PET and SPECT imaging work? Small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) injected into a patient. These can use sugars or chemical traits to bond to specific cells. The radioactive material is taken up by cells that consume the sugars. The radiation emitted from inside the body is detected by photon detectors outside the body. Computers take the data to assemble images of the radiation emissions. Nuclear images may appear fuzzy or ghostly rather than the sharper resolution from MRI and CT. But, it provides metabolic information at a cellular level, showing if there are defects in the function of the heart, areas of very high metabolic activity associated with cancer cells, or areas of inflammation, data not available from other modalities. These noninvasive imaging exams are used to diagnose cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, bone disorders and other disorders.

'Sterility failures' prompt FDA to threaten radiopharmaceutical producer with disciplinary action
Multiple issues that could raise the risk of product contamination were discovered during an inspection, according to an FDA warning letter.
Radiopharmaceutical manufacturer secures $30M to bolster domestic isotope production
Although the company is already bringing in revenue from medical radioisotopes, the new funding will help further these initiatives and drive additional research and development.
Department of Energy, Shine working on $263M deal to establish Mo-99 supply in US
If approved, the funds would go toward the completion of Chrysalis—Shine's first-of-its-kind medical isotope production facility.
Radiopharma firm secures $85M to expand domestic production of radioisotopes
SpectronRx announced the funding on April 2, highlighting the critical need for a reliable domestic supply of radiopharmaceuticals.
Department of energy partners to bolster domestic radioisotope supply
Gadolinium-153, or Gd-153, is routinely used to calibrate nuclear imaging equipment. It has been in short supply since 2023 when global distribution of the radioisotope came to a halt.

EU aims for clinical research transparency

Drug policy in the European Union could change in the not too distant future depending on a vote regarding a law proposed to discourage pharmaceutical companies from playing favorites when it comes to clinical trials.

Lab on the field: Combining molecular imaging and microfluidics

A tiny molecular imaging system could be used on the field to measure brain injury or in the lab to capture individual molecules that betray the biology of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and viruses like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 

Sodium fluoride PET/CT points to plaques, predicts heart attack

A PET/CT study followed 40 sufferers of heart attacks and just as many matched controls imaged with conventional coronary angiography and sodium fluoride PET/CT to gauge vulnerable plaques and see potential risk of heart attack.

Take heart: PET market to increase with new cardiac agents

Two novel cardiovascular PET agents are in the wings from FluoroPharma Medical, according to a recent profile in Forbes magazine.

Stem cell therapy could treat Parkinson's

A novel non-embyronic stem cell therapy is being studied to replace damaged dopaminergic brain cells in Parkinson's patients with their own cells in the hopes of restoring normal movement. 

Estimated Alzheimer's spikes to 135 million by 2050

New data regarding the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease is looming far and above previous estimates: 17 percent higher than previously thought, according to statistics from Alzheimer's Disease International.

South African plant leak has caused worldwide medical isotope shortage

South African Nuclear Energy Corp. announced this month that a leak has resulted in a global shortage of molybdenum-99, the precursor for Tc-99m used in a majority of molecular imaging scans. Authorities reportedly conducted an investigation Nov. 12 at the NTP plant in Pelindaba, just shy of 20 miles from the capital of Pretoria. It was estimated that the leak began Nov. 2. and was comprised of noble gas and iodine. Repairs are underway and the NTP plant will await independent review and authorization from the National Nuclear Regulator before operation can begin again.

Quantum dots facilitate a leap into alternative energy

The semiconductor photocatalysts known in molecular imaging as "quantum dots" are now being used for something completely different: alternative energy. The nanocrystals, instead of highlighting tissues, are harnessing methanol through a process of photosynthesis. This and other research, including advances in biomedical 3D printing and oncologic iron-based MRI contrast agents are featured in a profile of new research published in the New York Academy of Sciences magazine.

Molecular Imaging

'Sterility failures' prompt FDA to threaten radiopharmaceutical producer with disciplinary action

Radiopharmaceutical manufacturer secures $30M to bolster domestic isotope production

Department of Energy, Shine working on $263M deal to establish Mo-99 supply in US

Radiopharma firm secures $85M to expand domestic production of radioisotopes

Department of energy partners to bolster domestic radioisotope supply