Title:

An Overview of Medical Isotope Production and the Accelerating Radiotherapeutics through Advanced Molecular Constructs Initiative at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Speaker:

Dr. Sandra Davern

Affiliation:

Radioisotope Research and Development at ORNL

When:

Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 11:00:00 AM   Add to Calendar

Where:

Boggs Building, Room 3-47

Host:

Chris Wang
chris.wang@nre.gatech.edu

Abstract

An Overview of Medical Isotope Production and the Accelerating Radiotherapeutics through Advanced Molecular Constructs Initiative at Oak Ridge National Laboratory Sandra Davern, Initiative Lead Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) produces medically important radionuclides in support of the US Department of Energy’s Isotope Program. This production is enabled by the High Flux Isotope Reactor and the Radiochemical and Engineering Development Center, as well as other hot cell and radiological facilities. ORNL is building capabilities to explore fundamental science and applications related to the medical radionuclides produced. The Accelerating Radiotherapeutics through Advanced Molecular Constructs (ARM) Initiative was established to enable technological advances in the design, synthesis, and characterization of molecular cages to facilitate targeted transport of therapeutic radioisotopes to cancer sites. The synthesis of novel molecular constructs for their targeted delivery is guided by in silico design and by the knowledge obtained from conducting fundamental research into the coordination chemistry of actinide, lanthanide, and alkaline earth radioisotopes, such as actinium‑225, lutetium-177, and radium-223. This initiative aims to extend to the elucidation and understanding of the mechanism of action of these targeted radioisotopes alone and as combination therapies to help set the stage for advances in precision medicine for cancer and drug-resistant metastatic disease. The initiative is focused on four thrust areas: (1) designing ultrachelators for targeted radiotherapy, (2) developing targeted nanoconstructs for theranostics and combination therapy approaches, (3) exploring nanobodies as novel targeting vectors to deliver molecularly caged radionuclides directly to cancer cells, and (4) understanding dosimetry at scale from the subcellular and cellular levels to the whole-organ and individual levels. Each of these thrusts aim to maximize therapeutic effect while minimizing side effects. This research initiative aims to complement the radioisotope production at ORNL and establish ORNL’s leadership in the field of radiotherapeutics. An overview of medical radioisotope production and applications will be presented.

Biography

Sandra Davern is the Section Head for Radioisotope Research and Development at ORNL. She is also the initiative lead for the Accelerating Radiotherapeutics through Advanced Molecular Constructs (ARM) Initiative at ORNL and her research focuses on advancing methods to deliver radioisotopes for targeted radiotherapy. The aim of the ARM initiative is to develop novel chelation and nanocarrier platforms for targeted radiotherapies. This extends to evaluating the cellular effects of radiation exposure using in vitro bioassessment platforms. Other research interests include advancing radioisotope separations, through novel separations chemistry and technology and adapting radiochemical separations and radiobiology to microfluidic platforms.

Notes

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