Interdisciplinary Initiatives Program Round 4 – 2008

Eric Kool, Chemistry
Giorgio Gratta, Physics

This project is a collaborative effort between the research groups of E. Kool (Chemistry) and G. Gratta (Physics). Its aim is to develop a new way to image radiolabeled drugs in the human body, by development of a new kind of detector that should greatly improve resolution and sensitivity. This detector would consist of a reservoir of fluid around the patient that contains molecules that respond to radiation by leaving fluorescent tracks. These will be imaged by special cameras and imaging systems integrated into the detector. The Kool laboratory is focusing on the chemical challenges of developing the specialized molecules that respond to radiation, and the Gratta lab is focusing on evaluating the molecules and developing the detection strategies.