Detail

Keywords

Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Molecular Imaging; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radioactive Tracers

Research group(s)

• Radiopharmacy and Experimental Nuclear Medicine
  Members:
  Wolfgang Wadsak
  Lukas Nics
  Cecile Philippe
  Chrysoula Vraka

Research interests

Biomedical Imaging and Tracer Development

The main focus of my research is the PET (positron emisson tomography) tracer development for the MCHR1 (melanin concentrationg hormone receptor 1). This target is of high interest for endocrinological diseases such as obesity od diabetes. A PET tracer would provide deeper understanding of the MCHR1 functions and could help to better understand the endocrine status and guide pharmacological intervention via the MCHR1.

Additionally I focus on the development of new tracers and therapeutics for oncological targets as EDB fibronectin, folate receptor alpha and PSMA.

Techniques, methods & infrastructure

Drug development techniques:

• Radiosynthesis
• Binding-studies (cell culture)
• Metabolism
• Blood-brain-barrier penetration
• Autoradiography
• Immunhistochemistry
• Small animal PET
• Biodistribution
• Genotyping
• PCR

Selected publications

1. Philippe, C. et al., 2018. SNAPshots of the MCHR1: a Comparison Between the PET-Tracers [18F]FE@SNAP and [11C]SNAP-7941. Molecular Imaging and Biology. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11307-018-1212-0.
2. Zeilinger, M. et al., 2017. In vivo evaluation of radiotracers targeting the melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1: [11C]SNAP-7941 and [18F]FE@SNAP reveal specific uptake in the ventricular system. Scientific Reports, 7(1). Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-08684-6.
3. Philippe, C. et al., 2014. Comparative autoradiographic in vitro investigation of melanin concentrating hormone receptor 1 ligands in the central nervous system. European Journal of Pharmacology, 735, pp.177-183. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.04.020.
4. Philippe, C. et al., 2011. Optimization of the radiosynthesis of the Alzheimer tracer 2-(4-N-[11C]methylaminophenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole ([11C]PIB). Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 69(9), pp.1212-1217. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2011.04.010.
5. Philippe, C. et al., 2015. Parameter evaluation and fully-automated radiosynthesis of [11C]harmine for imaging of MAO-A for clinical trials. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 97, pp.182-187. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.01.002.