Radiochemistry Research Core

The Radiochemistry Research Core operates as a shared resource within the Medical Imaging Research Institute (MIRI). Located in the Biotechnology Research and Training Center, the core supports both preclinical and clinical imaging studies through the production, quality control and development of radiopharmaceuticals.

Our mission is to provide reliable, high-quality radiotracers and to enable innovation in radiochemistry, tracer discovery and translational imaging research. The core collaborates with Indiana University investigators, external academic partners and industry sponsors to advance molecular imaging and theranostic applications. The Radiochemistry Research Core houses a cyclotron and hot cell infrastructure designed for the synthesis and QC of both carbon-11 and fluorine-18 tracers, as well as radiometals such as copper-64, gallium-68 and zirconium-89.

Production Equipment

Siemens RDS Eclipse Cyclotron
12 Comecer hot cells
Four Comecer mini-cells
One LFH hot cell with manipulators
Two GE FASTlab2 modules (including one configured with HPLC)
Sofie ELIXYS radiosynthesizer
Eckert & Ziegler MeI/MeOTf system
Custom C-11 and F-18 synthesis modules

Various equipment and beakers in a laboratory.

Quality Control Equipment

Three Waters Acquity HPLC systems
One Agilent 8890 GC unit
Two Charles River Endosafe LAL systems for endotoxin testing

Tracer Production and Development

The radiochemistry core provides routine production of IND-approved PET radiopharmaceuticals, supports investigator-initiated research protocols and offers custom tracer development for new target validation and translational imaging.

Radioactive material is being experimented on.

Carbon-11 Tracers

[11C]Acetate*
[11C]Palmitate
[11C]Carbon Monoxide
[11C]PiB*
[11C]PBR28
[11C]Raclopride
[11C]UCB-J

*IND-approved radiotracers available for human use

Fluorine-18 Tracers

[18F]Fallypride
[18F]FET*
[18F]Fluorocholine*
[18F]FSPG
[18F]AraG*
[18F]FTO
[18F]CSF23
[18F]FEBU
[18F]SDM-16
[18F]GSK1482160

*IND-approved radiotracers available for human use

Additional Isotopes

[64Cu], [68Ga], [89Zr]

Custom Tracer Requests

Novel radiotracer development projects are supported through collaborative design, precursor synthesis and radiolabeling optimization services.

Collaborations and Partnerships

The core works closely with PETNET Radiopharmacy for routine clinical tracer supply (18F-FDG) and supports investigator IND and RDRC studies through IU School of Medicine Radiochemistry and the Clinical Research Imaging Program. Internal collaborations include partnerships with the Neuroimaging and Cardiovascular Imaging Research Cores for integrated PET/MR and PET/CT imaging studies.