Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry

RadChem research group develops radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostics and for drug discovery, including development of novel applications for exploiting isotopic labelling methods in drug delivery research.

We offer design and synthesis of radiotracers for imaging both with positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Our facilities are well-equipped for a variety of (radio)synthesis procedures, including also modern and up-to-date methods for analysis of biological samples.

Contact persons: Mirkka Sarparanta (mirkka.sarparanta@helsinki.fi, +358 2941 50535) / Sudeep Das (sudeep.das@helsinki.fi, +358 2941 50391)

Location: Chemicum, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, Kumpula Campus

Services:

  • Custom-synthesis of PET-radiotracers labelled with 18F and 68Ga
  • Radiolabelling of SPECT-radiotracers with commercially available radionuclides such as 111In and 99mTc
  • Preparation and analysis of biological samples

Instruments/facilities:

  • IBA cyclone 10/5 cyclotron for production of PET radionuclides such as 18F and 11C
  • A-type laboratory equipped with hot cells and remote-controlled synthesis units for working with high radioactivity and positron/gamma emitters
  • Variety of (radio)analytical equipment for detection and measurement of radioactivity and quality control of the radiotracers
  • Well-equipped B-type animal laboratory for tracer development
  • Digital autoradiography systems (Fujifilm FLA-5100 scanner with Aida Image analysis software, ai4r Le Beaver Real-time Imaging)
  • Cryostat microtome (Leica CM1950) for the preparation of sections for histology and autoradiography

Applications:

  • radiotracers for e.g. in vivo biodistribution studies by SPECT-CT
  • radiotracers for e.g. in vitro binding studies in tissue samples

User fees:

The research infrastructure is supported by University of Helsinki (HiLIFE, Faculty of Science etc.) and e.g. Biocenter Finland. The academic prices (excl. VAT) are listed below. Please, ask a quotation for your project. Industrial customers, please contact Sudeep Das (sudeep.das@helsinki.fi) for prices.

Service

€/h

€/day/project

Project plan and logistical assistance

45

N/A

Radiochemistry (labour)

60

N/A

Use of (radio)synthesis and analytical equipment

35

N/A

Image analysis / Assisted use of the imaging systems

45

N/A
Leica CM1950 20 N/A
FLA-5100 scanner 20 N/A
Le Beaver 20 N/A

Use of image analysis software (workstation)

5

N/A

The hosting research group:

Tracers in Molecular Imaging