The aim of the ISOLPHARM_CORE (Cyclotron-based prOduction of Radionuclides for mEdicine) project is to produce (radio)chemically pure and innovative radionuclides for cancer therapy, both to guarantee the supply of traditional radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine units and move forward in the research of innovative radioisotopes for improved diagnosis and therapy. With the ISOLPHARM method, along with radionuclides already approved for their administration in patients, innovative radiometals which cannot be produced with traditional techniques could be obtained. This method can have a huge impact on nuclear medicine by providing an alternative path of supply for radionuclide of medical interest with respect to cyclotrons and nuclear reactors while ensuring an overall lower environmental impact.
The research units will work in five work packages (WP), each of them with specific tasks and skills. The five different WP are the following:
WP1 – Computational Models. Development of Monte Carlo simulations for the radionuclides production and diffusion in the target
WP2 – Targets Production. Synthesis and characterization of innovative materials for the production target and the deposition targets, and their fabrication by additive manufacturing.
WP3 – Targets Characterization. Electro-thermo-structural analysis of the production target, mechanical development and integration.
WP4 – Ion Sources Development. Development and testing, performance of ionization using stable elements, to test the production performances.
WP5 – Beam Transport and Diagnostics. Development of a detector system for the measurement of the gamma and beta spectra emitted by the produced radioactive ion beams and analysis of the spectra to obtain the different ion yields with high precision.
The previous experiments of the ISOLPHARM collaboration were ISOLPHARM_Ag (2018-2019) and ISOLPHARM_EIRA (2020-2022).