Core #1 Chemistry Dr. Wei Wang, Ph.D.The Chemistry core functions in the Division of Molecular Imaging and in this NTR consortium to (i) provide theability to develop new molecularly targeting entities for both nuclear and optical imaging; (ii) develop thevalidated analytical tools necessary for new agents; and (iii) provide assistance in manufacture.New targeting entities Dr. Wei Wang's expertise and demonstrated innovation is evident in the small animalimaging results presented in Section 5.C.4,5 regarding the c(KRGD) and c(KAHWGFLD) dual labeled imagingagents. The following provides an example of her emerging work with Dr. Charles Brunicardi to develop anoptical substrate for imaging vTK gene expression.[18F]-FHBG and other isotope substrates have been used along with several other TK substrates [143-145].Although [18F]-FHBG is currently approved as an investigational drug for human studies [146], its short half life(2 h) may be responsible for the high background in small animal imaging. For example, in studies to trackvTK expressing tumor cells, investigators routinely use subcutaneous tumor implantation on the shoulder ofanimals. One hour afteradministration,incomplete clearanceprevents distinguishingtumor cells within thetrunk of the animal. Inaddition, isotopicallylabeled agents are notwidely available to thebiomedical researchcommunity. For thisreason, Dr. Wei Wangdeveloped three opticalanalogs of FHBGdepicted in Fig. 43 thatare conjugated to NIRdye IR783 that is synthesized in-house. It is noteworthy that the second compound, could be developed as apotential dual labeled PET and optical imaging agent by replacing cold fluorine with 18F.
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