Covalent attachment of the radionuclide to a biomolecule ensures that the radioactive payload is specifically and efficiently delivered to the cells or tissue that a physician needs to image or treat. Our lab exploits metallic radionuclides (aka radiometals) and their diverse radioactive decay properties for both imaging and therapy of disease. For example, radioisotopes that decay via gamma ray or positron emission can be used for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), or positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, respectively. Radioisotopes that emit beta particles, alpha particles, or Meitner-Auger electrons can be used for RPT, since these radioactive emissions are associated with high linear energy transfer (LET), and can cause harm and kill target cells.

A key advantage of radiometals (vs conventional non-metallic radionuclides) is the availability of multiple isotopes of the same element with appropriate decay characteristics that can be exploited for either imaging or therapy. This combination of imaging to diagnose, stage and track disease with therapy to treat has been termed “theranostics” - as is the future of nuclear medicine. Our lab works across the periodic table with an overall goal to develop theranostic radiometal pairs - from beamline to bedside.