UNC Department of Radiology recognizes Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Research Program director Zibo Li, PhD, for receiving National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering funding to establish radioabeling methodology for modifying biologically active molecules and drugs in novel PET agent preparation.
UNC Department of Radiology recognizes Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Research Program director Zibo Li, PhD, for receiving National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) R01 funding ($467K+/year) to establish radioabeling methodology for modifying biologically active molecules and drugs in novel PET agent preparation. This research involves a close collaboration with Dr. David Nicewicz’s group from UNC Chemistry Department. Study success with this fast-growing technology would provide radiochemists with a powerful tool to prepare and use novel PET agents in drug D&D and other applied imaging areas through radiolabeling bioactive molecules.
Over the four year project period (5/01/2020 – 1/31/2024), Li’s team aims to overcome the lack of efficient, simple radiolabeling methods for modifying biologically active small molecules and drugs used in late-stage radiofluorination and radiocyanation of aromatic substrates. Successfully established methodologies for bioactive molecular labeling will lead to broadly-useful, late-stage radiolabeling methods for incorporating [18F]F and [11C]CN into aromatic compounds. If a first-stage breakthrough installing radioisotopes into bioactive molecular aromatic or heteroaromatic motifs can be accomplished, it will allow not only direct conversion of drugs to PET agents, but also unprecedented access to novel aromatic PET tracers.
Dr. Li noted: “This study could have a transformative, high impact in biomedical imaging through providing access to novel PET agents that have proven challenging or impossible to synthesize. A key strength of our study design is the extensive preliminary data for our proposed approaches. Broadening radiolabeling methodology under mild conditions, coupled with easy access to the required precursors, provides unprecedented access to novel aromatic PET tracers. Our success would produce optimal research results in neurology, oncology, and other areas that use PET technology.”