Speaker
Summary
Introduction
Rising cancer rates worldwide continue to drive innovations in diagnostic and therapeutic agents. In this context, radionuclides are produced using medical cyclotrons or nuclear reactors. To be effective, they should support both imaging and treatment, with half-lives appropriate for labelling, visualisation, and therapy. Additionally, the target material must be affordable, readily available, and able to provide consistent, high-quality performance [1–3]. Theragnostics have seen significant recent growth. This study forms part of the OPTICS (Optimised Production of Theragnostic Isotopes of Copper and Scandium) project, which seeks to implement an automated and modular system for radiopharmaceutical/nanoparticles production. Specifically, my work explores the use of mixed copper isotopes (61Cu, 64Cu). Through irradiations at the Dalton Cumbrian Facility, we are advancing automated processes for dissolution, separation, nanoparticle synthesis, and antibody conjugation.
Description of the Work or Project
Copper radioisotopes were generated from natural and enriched nickel targets (natNi, 61Ni) via irradiation and automated separation. Targets were prepared by dissolution, pH adjustment, and electrodeposition, followed by alpha (15 MeV) transmutations. Using Dowex 1x8 resin, nickel and copper were efficiently separated. Catechin-mediated synthesis produced copper nanoparticles at 30 °C under nitrogen using 0.1 M NaOH at pH 11. All processes were conducted in a fully automated, three-unit system.
Conclusions
Gamma counter measurements confirmed the successful transmutation of 61/64Cu. In addition, size analysis and electron microscopy revealed that the resulting Cu nanoparticles have diameters between 1 and 50 nm.
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