Radiochemistry and Radionuclide Imaging Instrumentation Research

The Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER) of the Office of Science (SC), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) advances world-class biological and environmental research programs and scientific facilities for DOE missions in energy, environment, and basic research. The Radiochemistry and Radionuclide Imaging Instrumentation Research program within BER, supports fundamental research for developing new methodologies for real-time, high-resolution imaging of dynamic biological processes in living systems. This research has two integrated goals: First, the research supports the DOE Science mission-related activities in bioenergy and bioremediation; Second, the fundamental methodologies developed under DOE-funded research may serve as tools leading to transformational new technologies for use in nuclear medicine research and applications supported by NIH and industry. Applicants are encouraged to meet these two goals. Responses to this Fu nding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) should address the development and use of highly innovative radiotracer chemistry or instrumentation technologies for quantitative in vivo measurement of site-specific chemical reactions, their spatial distributions and metabolic perturbations, and ensuing biological processes with a high degree of accuracy and sensitivity. BER hereby announces its interest in receiving applications for research grants in two topic areas, Radiochemistry and Radionuclide Imaging Instrumentation. In the area of Radiochemistry, BER invites applications for fundamental research to improve synthetic methodology for rapidly and efficiently incorporating radionuclides into a wide range of organic molecules. Approaches should use methods that allow dual or multiple labeling of targeting molecules for dual energy or hybrid imaging techniques in intact living systems and/or in vivo models. Development of microfluidics for synthesis and purification are also appropr iate. In the area of Radionuclide Imaging Instrumentation, BER invites applications to design and develop new or improved radionuclide detection and imaging instrumentation. These improvements should significantly increase the accuracy of quantitative assessments of the three dimensional spatial and temporal distribution of radiotracers in living systems, allow the screening of large numbers of intact living systems (e.g. plants), or the screening of cells to identify desirable characteristics. Development of instruments which allow simultaneous examination of biological systems using different modalities to improve understanding is also encouraged. Applications should focus on basic research that will significantly advance the current state of the science underpinning biological systems of importance to the mission of the DOE, and which may also have application in nuclear medicine.