The key focus of the University of Virginia’s Radiochemistry Core Facility (UVARCF) is to provide investigators access to high-quality novel and existing radiopharmaceuticals (radiolabeled small molecules, peptides, proteins, and antibodies), that can be imaged by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) method, to meet their preclinical and clinical needs.
- Design, develop and translate high-quality novel and existing PET radiopharmaceuticals (radiolabeled small molecules, peptides, proteins, and antibodies) for preclinical and clinical needs
- Conduct clinical trials that require specific PET radiotracers
PET is a noninvasive diagnostic imaging modality that provides investigators with visual images of organ and tissue functions in a quantitative manner. [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) is the workhorse of the PET field and is used in the diagnosis, staging, and restaging of many cancers. However, [18F]FDG is a non-specific radiotracer because its uptake is also noted in various benign conditions. Specific PET radiopharmaceuticals play a promising role in understanding, detecting, and managing several disease conditions that affect mankind. For custom radiolabeling, novel PET probe development, and other PET radiopharmaceuticals please contact Core Director Shivashankar Khanapur, PhD.
