The main focus of this group is on developing radiopharmaceuticals that are useful for clinical diagnosis and treatment, manufacturing new radio nuclides required for synthesizing drugs, and developing labeling techniques.We are conducting research and development contributing to the advancement of accelerators and radionuclide production techniques for targeted-radionuclide therapy. And, while making advancements in the development of high-performance radiopharmaceuticals that detect trace amounts of molecules,we are also expanding our probe library for visualizing in vivo phenomena by developing a wide range of useful and diverse probes, for everything from one cell to an entire body.This group is developing safe, high-quality PET radiopharmaceuticals for clinical research.Based on this performance, we are further promoting technology transfer through standardization of these radiopharmaceuticals.
Research Theme
Development of efficient irradiation methods and production of metallic- and halogen-radionuclides for medical use
In order to prepare many radiopharmaceuticals that are useful for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, we need to choose many radionuclides to meet each purpose.To meet this need, we are developing an automated target handling system,vertical irradiation station and targeted vessels made of ceramic to facilitate the production capacity of radio-metallilcs and halogens.The high-quality radionuclides we produce are manufactured into many radiopharmaceuticals.Nowadays, we not only produce nuclides for diagnostic imaging, but we can also now produce alpha- and beta-emitters with possible applications in "targeted-radionuclide therapy,"which offers hope for treating cancers through the administration of radiopharmaceuticals.Based on these, we expect to develop many useful radiopharmaceuticals.
Research and development of radiolabeling techniques
We are building a technology infrastructure to develop more synthetic methods and systems we need to develop labeling agents.In order to be able to synthesize labeling agents that have diverse physiological functions and chemical structures, we are 1) developing and making practical use of labeling intermediates using radionuclides, 2) designing new labeling reactions and achieving them using automated synthesis systems, and 3) developing labeling techniques to reach ultra-high specific activity and radiochemical yields.
Research and development of useful radiopharmaceuticals
One role of this group is to develop new radiopharmaceticals for the imaging and quantitative measurement of various targets in brain, cancer, and peripheral organs in animals and human.These radiolabeled probes are designed on the basis of principles for exploring the biological functions and molecules, and evaluated using cells and animals etc.Additionally, we select compound candidates that can image a variety of biomaterials, and design and make full use of labeling techniques to synthesize and evaluate drugs.Furthermore, to promote the applied research of new labeling agents using different kinds of small animal models, we are certifying and enhancing the usefulness of drugs.On the other hand, instead of just diagnosis, we are researching and developing labeling agents that have few side effects with aim of developing new targeted-radionuclide therapies.
Research and development of preparation and analysis methods of PET radiopharmaceuticals
We are routinely preparing a wide range of PET radiopharmaceuticals for clinical research inside or outside facilities, and are preparing several quality-assured PET radiopharmaceuticals according to the guidelines for in-house PET radiopharmaceuticals standards authorized by the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine (JSNM GMP).For the promotion and development of PET radiopharmaceuticals for clinical and basic research, we are developing and establishing safe and effective PET radiopharmaceutical production methods, developing and validating fast and easy analytical methods that can be widely used by many PET facilities.Also, we are promoting the standardization of the world's leading PET radiopharmaceutical synthesis techniques and analytical techniques,the transfer of technology, and the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods.
Medical Imaging Physics Research
Positron emission tomography (PET) is used in clinical settings for cancer diagnosis, etc., and is one of the most promising means of promoting molecular imaging research, however it still has not reached its full potential. Specifically, there are still strong demands for higher resolution, higher sensitivity and lower cost, and there is global competition in the research and development of next-generation PET systems. Therefore, we are aiming for a future in which cancer and brain disease are no longer problems by promoting the research and development of next-generation PET systems and elemental technologies based on cooperation between businesses and universities.In particular, based on our DOI detector, our core technology that is the first in the world to be successfully utilized in practice, we will continue developing novel PET systems.
Research Group
- Targetry and Target Chemistry Group
- Radiochemistry and Radioprobe Development Group
- Radiopharmaceuticals Production Group
- Imaging Physics Group