Program Overview
Type: Vanderbilt Reinvestment Award (VRA)
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a powerful technology for imaging specific receptors in patients. Current technology requires direct access to large, expensive cyclotrons for the generation of the requisite radioisotopes. A team from Engineering, Arts and Science and Medicine is developing microfluidic-based single-use reactors to enable on-demand production of specific PET imaging agents without the need for direct access to cyclotrons. This disruptive technology could revolutionize molecular imaging in clinical settings and greatly expand the number of agents used to detect specific types of cancer, metabolic disorders and neurological diseases. In parallel, the Center for Molecular Probes is working with the Chemistry Department to develop the first training program for chemists interested in acquiring skills for molecular imaging.
Faculty Participants
Lead Faculty in bold
Peabody College
- Claire Smrekar, Associate Professor of Public Policy & Education
School of Engineering
- Leon Bellan, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
School of Medicine
Charles Manning, Professor of Radiology & Radiological Sciences- Michael Nickels, Technical Director of the PET Radiochemistry Labs
- Bruce Damon, Associate Professor of Radiology & Radiological Sciences
- Ronald Walker, Professor of Clinical Radiology