Cyclotron

The Cyclotron Facility at BIC is a state-of-the-art particle accelerator dedicated to producing radiolabeled isotopes for PET imaging. These isotopes are crucial for research and clinical applications, enabling high-resolution molecular imaging of the brain, cancer, and metabolic processes. The facility supplies short-lived PET tracers, ensuring high specificity and minimal patient exposure to radiation.

How the Cyclotron Works

A cyclotron is a type of particle accelerator that generates radioactive isotopes by accelerating charged particles, such as protons, in a circular motion using strong magnetic fields. These particles gain energy as they spiral outward before colliding with a stable target atom, triggering a nuclear reaction that produces a radioactive isotope.

These isotopes are then chemically synthesized into PET tracers, which are injected into research subjects or patients for functional imaging studies.

Key Features & Capabilities

✅ Production of PET Radioisotopes

• [11C] (Carbon-11) tracers for neurotransmitter and receptor imaging
• [18F] (Fluorine-18) tracers for cancer metabolism, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular imaging
• Other isotopes available upon request for specialized research

✅ Supports High-Sensitivity PET Imaging

• Produces short-lived isotopes for high-resolution molecular imaging
• Enhances research in neuroscience, oncology, pharmacology, and metabolic disorders

✅ Research Applications

• Neurotransmitter & receptor imaging (dopamine, serotonin, glutamate systems)
• Neurodegenerative disease research (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS)
• Neuroinflammation & microglial activation studies
• Pharmacokinetics & drug development
• Cancer detection & tumor metabolism

✅ On-Site Radiotracer Production

• Ensures high-purity, short-lived isotopes for immediate use in PET scanning
• Supports custom radiotracer synthesis for specialized studies

Information Materials

• neuro_cyclotron_pdf_pamphlet_eng04_2.pdf
• neuro_cyclotron_flyer_handout_03_engfre.pdf