Collaborative research in PET imaging

Collaborative research in PET imaging

Six Members of the CBC (Nick Long, Robert Law, Andrew de Mello, Sophia Yaliraki, Ian Gould and Richard Templer) are engaged in research with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), to look at the mechanisms of PET ligand binding to cell membranes and new methods of synthesising these important radiotracers of drug action. The project, conceived by the head of GSK PET imaging, Dr Tony Gee, deals with the synthesis and biophysical behaviour of small drug molecules containing radioactive atoms that emit positrons. By imaging the location of positron emission in volunteers these molecules allow medical researchers to determine the site of action and likely effect of candidate drug molecules.

The team from Imperial College and GSK are developing two research themes: the use of microfluidic methods coupled to rapid synthetic routes to create new PET ligands for such studies, and experimental and theoretical studies to determine how these ligands interact with protein receptors and membrane surfaces.