[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Valliant.jpg” caption=”John Valliant”]Collaborative research conducted between McMaster University, Syracuse University and Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is accelerating the development of molecular imaging.

New fluorescence-based technology called SAACQ (Single Amino Acid Chelate-Quinoline) is enabling the visualization of radiopharmaceuticals interacting with cellular structures — an advance that is expected to accelerate the development of molecular imaging agents and targeted radiotherapeutics. The results were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS).

“The ability to observe and monitor radiopharmaceuticals at the cellular and sub-cellular levels has previously not been possible,” said John Valliant, assistant professor of chemistry at McMaster. “Previously, a fluorescent dye would have to be attached to a new radiopharmaceutical in order to visualize cellular behavior, but the modification can alter the behavior of the studied molecule, significantly diminishing the quality of the results. SAACQ allows the study of the original structure without modification. The opportunity to use fluorescent microscopy should increase R&D productivity by illuminating the mechanisms underlying the targeting of radiopharmaceuticals to specific molecular receptors.”

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Photo: John Valliant, assistant professor of chemistry of McMaster