Welcome

Our research is focused on the development of improved reactor production and processing methods to provide medical radioisotopes, the development of new radionuclide generator systems, the design and evaluation of new radiopharmaceuticals for applications in nuclear medicine and oncology, and association with Medical Cooperative Programs throughout the world for the further preclinical testing and clinical evaluation of agents developed at ORNL. In the United States, only ORNL has available the combined resources of the stable isotope inventory, a High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), hot cell processing capabilities, and a wide range of support functions required for such research. These collective resources provide unique capabilities for nuclear medicine research and radioisotope production.

 

Highlights

  • Rhenium-188
    Rhenium-188 is a high energy beta-emitting radioisotope obtained from the ORNL developed tungsten-188/ rhenium-188 generator, which has shown utility for a variety of therapeutic applications in nuclear medicine, oncology and interventional radiology/ cardiology. More information ...
     
  • Alpha-particle-emitting actinium-255
    Alpha-particle-emitting actinium-225 is a by-product of the U-233/Th-229 decay chain. Remote processing has been developed and optimized at ORNL for the routine 6 week cycling separation of Ac-225 from Th-229. Bismuth-213 is of broad interest for targeted therapy applications and is obtained from the Ac-225/Bi-213 generator system. More information ...