Our research is centered on the development, validation, and clinical translation of PET molecular imaging probes to quantify pathologic processes and elucidate biological pathways. We operate within the Crump Institute and the Ahmanson Translation Imaging Division biomedical cyclotron, which provides PET probes for both clinical and preclinical studies. We utilize and develop emerging technologies and automated platforms to synthesize novel PET probes.
Current technologies under development in our lab include microfluidics and electrochemical radiosynthesizers. We are also interested in fundamental studies of reactions on surfaces, made possible through electrochemistry and enhanced by microfluidics flow cells. Additionally, of interest in our group, are novel PET probes, including 18F labelled inflammation markers and amino acid analogs.
With the development of electrochemical methods and platforms, we are able to radiofluorinate aromatics and electron rich moieties. This has allowed for nucleophilic fluorination of PET probes, such as 18F-L-Dopa, and novel radiofluorinated PET probes, such as COX-2 inhibitors, for imaging inflammation.
