The Department of Energy is interested in innovative research involving medical technologies to facilitate and advance the current state of diagnosis and treatment of human disorders. Principles of physics, chemistry, and engineering are being employed to advance fundamental concepts dealing with human health, to utilize the study of molecular interactions for a better understanding of organ function, and to develop innovative biologics, materials, processes, implants, devices, and informatics systems for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and for improving human health.
The DOE Medical Sciences program covers a broad range of energy‑related technologies, including nuclear medicine and advanced imaging instrumentation. With respect to nuclear medicine, this topic addresses the development of: (1) radiopharmaceuticals as radiotracers to study in vivo chemistry, metabolism, cell communication, and gene expression in normal and disease states, and as therapeutic agents; and (2) new radionuclide imaging systems.
The DOE Advanced Medical Instrumentation program seeks to capitalize on the unique physical sciences and engineering capabilities at the DOE's national laboratories to develop new technologies that will have a significant impact on human health. Within this area, this topic addresses the development of power sources for implantable devices.
Grant applications are sought only in the following subtopics:
a. Radiopharmaceutical Development for Radiotracer Diagnosis and Targeted Molecular Therapy—Grant applications are sought to develop: (1) radiolabeled compounds that could have applications as radiotracers for radionuclide imaging technologies such as positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography; (2) improved and simplified production of radiolabeled compounds through the use of mini-accelerator technology or automated radiochemical analysis/synthesis techniques; and (3) radiopharmaceuticals for targeted molecular therapy. Of particular interest are radiochemical, synthetic, and combinatorial molecular engineering approaches. All efforts should ultimately result in a product for nuclear medicine use.
Questions - contact Prem Srivastava (prem.srivastava@science.doe.gov)
b. Advanced Imaging Technologies—Grant applications are sought for new, sensitive, high-resolution instrumentation for radionuclide imaging. The instrumentation should advance the application of radiotracer methodologies for imaging molecular biological functions, including cell communication and gene expression in vivo. Areas of interest include the development of: (1) new detector materials and detector arrays for both positron emission and single photon emission computed tomography; (2) software for rapid image data processing and image reconstruction; and (3) methods of integrating in vitro and in vivo instrumentation technologies for real time molecular imaging of biological function, and for new drug development and utilization.
Questions - contact Peter Kirchner (peter.kirchner@science.doe.gov)
c. Development of Non-Photovoltaic Biological Power Sources for Implantable Devices—Grant applications are sought to develop innovative, unconventional power sources to operate medical devices that are implanted inside the human body. The power sources could be biological or mechanical in design, and could include biomotion or in vivo biochemical reactions. Because current photovoltaic power sources contain metals and other highly toxic components, these sources must be carefully encased before implantation; therefore, the development of a small implantable biological power source would alleviate concerns about implantation safety and disposal. Grant applications must provide calculations to demonstrate that the proposed device will supply the energy required to power an implantable device and meet any biocompatibility requirements of the Food and Drug Administration. Some of the DOE national laboratories have developed considerable expertise in this research area and are available for possible collaboration.
Questions - contact Dean Cole (dean.cole@science.doe.gov)
References:
1. 2nd Annual National Academies Keck Future Initiative Conference: “Designing Nanostructures at the Interface between Biomedical and Physical Systems,” Irvine, California, November 18-21, 2004 Website. (URL: http://www7.nationalacademies.org/keck/Keck_Futures_Nano_Conferences_Focus_Groups.html)
2. Smith, H. O., et al., “Biological Solutions to Renewable Energy,” Summer 2003. (Full text available at: http://www.nae.edu/nae/bridgecom.nsf/weblinks/MKUF-5NTMX9?OpenDocument)
3.
Nuclear Science (NSS/MIC) 2002
IEEE Symposium and Medical Imaging, Conference,
Proceedings, IEEE, 2002. (CD-ROM 2002) (ISBN:
0-7803-7637-4) (IEEE Product No.: CH37399C-TBR)
4. Bushberg, J. T., et al., “The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging,” Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, November 2001. (ISBN: 0683301187)
5. Hendee, W. R. and Ritenour, R. E., “Medical Imaging Physics,” 4th ed., New York: Wiley-Liss, June 2002. (ISBN: 047138)
6. Feinendegen, L. E., et al., eds., “Molecular Nuclear Medicine,” Springer-Verlag, January 2003. (ISBN: 3540001328)
7. Kowalsky, R. J. and Falen, S. W., “Radiopharmaceuticals in Nuclear Pharmacy and Nuclear Medicine,” 2nd ed., Washington, DC: American Pharmacists Association, July 2004. (ISBN: 1582120315) (For press release and ordering information, see: http://www.pharmacist.com/store_faculty/textbook_radiopharm.cfm)
8. Wahl, R. L., ed., Buchanan, J. W., assoc. ed., “Principles and Practice of Positron Emission Tomography,” Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, August 2002. (ISBN: 0781729041) (Publisher’s description and ordering information available at: http://www.lww.comproduct/?0-7817-2904-1)
9. “Supplementary Information,” at Website for DOE Office of Science, Notice 03-14: Radiopharmaceutical and Molecular Nuclear Medicine Science Research - Medical Applications Program. (Available at: http://www.sc.doe.gov/grants/Fr03-14.html. Scroll down page to text under “Supplementary Information.”)
10. Vera, D. R. and Eckelman, W. C., “Receptor 1980 and Receptor 2000: Twenty Years of Progress in Receptor-Binding Radiotracers,” Nuclear Medicine and Biology, 28(5):475-476, July 2001. (ISSN: 0969-8051) (Abstract and ordering information available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/. Under “Search for a title”, enter Nuclear Medicine and Biology. Continue search using information given above.
11. Welch, M. J. and Redvanly, C. S., eds., “Handbook of Radiopharmaceuticals: Radiochemistry and Applications,” Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, January 2003. (ISBN: 0-471-49560-3) (Table of contents and ordering information available at: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0471495603.html)
12. Cherry, S. R., et al., “Physics in Nuclear Medicine,” 3rd ed., Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders, June 2003. (ISBN: 072168341X)
13. Sandler, M. P., et al., eds., “Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine,” 4th ed., Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, October 2002. (ISBN: 0781732522) (Publisher’s description and ordering information available at: http://www.lww.com/product/?0-7817-3252-2)
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