Specialists from the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research together with South African colleagues from the Necsa Nuclear Energy Corporation and the NRF: iThemba LABS scientific centre are conducting research nuclear medicine. The recent working visit of employees of the Laboratory of Nuclear Problems at JINR to the Republic of South Africa resulted in the successful integration of the nuclear spectrometry of perturbed angular correlations (PACs) for the study of radiopharmaceuticals.
The PAC spectrometry method is a unique technology used in the world’s largest research centres. It allows studying radiopharmaceuticals and their precursors (radionuclides, chelators, etc.) in a homogeneous environment at the micro level, as well as to obtain detailed information on radiation exposure mechanisms.
“In practice, the PAC method provides the opportunity for in-depth study of not only the stability of radiopharmaceuticals, but also the mechanisms of radiation effects on their local environment, which is extremely necessary for the application of such preparations in nuclear medicine”, DLNP JINR junior researcher Hamad Alshoubakiand DLNP JINR engineer Elena Kurakina commented. “For decades, this unique method has been successfully developed and used at the Laboratory of Nuclear Problems under the supervision of Dmitry Filosofov and Atanas Velichkov”.
During the visit to Necsa, which took place from 29 May to 14 June, DLNP Radiochemistry Sector employees Hamad Alshubaki and Elena Kurakina managed to assemble and commission a new spectrometer, as well as implement the software developed at the Laboratory of Nuclear Problems for experimental data sorting and processing.
According to the researchers, as part of further cooperation development, it is planned to significantly expand the spectrum of studied radionuclides and precursors. In addition to that, specialised internships will be organized for students and postgraduates from South Africa at JINR. This initiative will ensure effective exchange of experience and technologies between the Joint Institute and South African centres and contribute to the training of highly qualified personnel for South Africa.
