WP 02 - Tracer Development

1. Objectives

1. Define ligands for tracer development (together with WP 01)
2. Characterisation of ligands and optimisation using radioiodinisation of ligands to assess their potential with regard to biodistribution and beta-cell specificity in in vivo models
3. Labelling of tracers for PET imaging (radiometal chelators for peptides/proteins/affibodies, C-11, F-18 for organic molecules), SPECT (radiometals),  optical imaging (fluorescent dyes), and ligand coating of nanoparticles (MRI)
4. Tracer evaluation in in vitro and in vivo models 

2. Description

WP 02 is responsible for the development of adequate tracers to image beta cells. The targets will be found in WP 01 and defined in close cooperation with WPs 1-4. Ligands for these targets with a signalling part for imaging will be developed within WP 02. These can be small organic molecules as well as proteins or peptides which will be labelled for optical, MRI or radioactive imaging. The ligands will be optimised with a fast targeting and fast clearance for a high affinity. The target to background ratio should be as high as possible. The in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the compounds will be done in close cooperation with WP 03. The aim is to develop and then to support the further evaluation and ligands from the beginning to clinical application, where GMP status for the contrast agent is necessary. There is a very close cooperation with all other WPs that will contribute to reaching these objectives.

3. WP leader

WP leader is Dr. Martin Béhé - University Hospital Freiburg, Germany

4. WP partners

Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands
Université de Genève, Switzerland
University of Turku, Finland
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland