Radiopharmaceutical Biology Department

Overview

Our efforts in Translational Tumor Research focus on the biology and imaging of solid tumors and metastases. The discovery and functional characterization of tumor-specific proteins (e.g., neuropeptide receptors, pattern-recognition receptors, cell-cycle regulating proteins/enzymes) and parameters of tumor micro-environment (hypoxia, inflammation, angiogenesis) in vitro and in vivo are objectives of several projects and collaborations. Translational is defined as pre-clinical research intended to evaluate the diagnostic/therapeutic potential of recent discoveries in the basic mechanisms of both solid tumor pathogenesis and metastasis. Therefore, our research encompasses a broad spectrum of laboratory activities, directed on radiopharmaceutical characterization of novel radiolabeled compounds for either diagnostic or therapeutic use in animal models to directly determine a) radiotracer biodistribution, kinetics, and metabolism to define the compound's chemical fate in vivo and b) pharmacodynamics of cognate candidate compounds for endoradionuclide therapeutical application. The resulting biological data including information obtained by small animal multimodal imaging techniques combining PET, MRT/MRS, CT, optical, autoradiographic, and histological imaging modalities are used in elucidation of structure-activity relationships, as well as providing a basis for assessing potential clinical utility. The best compounds identified in initial screening are subsequently examined in more sophisticated models that allow, under a variety of physiological conditions, direct evaluation of the relationship between uptake of radiolabeled compounds and specific aspects of both tissue pathobiochemistry and pathophysiology. For promising compounds identified in this manner, we have productive collaborative relationships with a number of clinical investigators that allow additional preclinical and clinical assessment of radiopharmaceutical performance.

Topics

  • Peptide receptor targeting of solid tumors
  • Pattern recognition receptors and their ligands in cancerogenesis and metastasis
  • Metabolic intersections between cancerogenic and inflammatory processes
  • Inflammation and oxidative stress in radiation-induced tissue injury (RIVAD)

Methods:

  • Multimodal molecular imaging (small animal-PET, -MRI/MRS, -CT, SPECT, Optical Imaging)
  • Radiolabeling of peptides, proteins and oligonucleotides
  • Investigation of radiotracer distribution and metabolization in vitro and in vivo
  • Investigation of radioligand binding and internalization in vitro and in vivo
  • Autoradiography of tissues, organs, and whole animals
  • Metabolite analysis (radio-HPLC,  -TLC)
  • Cultivation of cell lines, primary cells, and multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS)
  • Experimental radiation (X-rays) of cells, MCTS, and animal tumor models in vitro and in vivo
  • Quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting, immunhistochemistry etc.
  • Prokaryotic and eukaryontic expression systems
  • UV/VIS-, fluorescence spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MALDI-, ESI-LC-, GC-MS)
  • Molecule interaction (surface plasmon resonance (SPR, BiaCore)
  • Link equipment

 

 

Head

Jens Pietzsch, PhD, MD
Tel.: ++49 (0)351 260 2622
Fax.: ++49 (0)351 260 3661
eMail: j.pietzsch@fzd.de
Druck-Version Deutsche Version Homepage Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf
PD Dr. Pietzsch, Jens - 25.04.2010