Radiotracer Chemistry, Instrumentation and Biological Imaging

Most of the advances in molecular imaging and nuclear medicine have originated with innovations in radiotracer chemistry and nuclear imaging instrumentation. However, these innovations have not been widely applied to examine movement of fixed carbon, nitrogen and signaling molecules (phytohormones) in whole plants and their rhizosphere, or to probe microbial processes in soil. Building on Brookhaven¹s longstanding history of innovation in radiotracer chemistry and instrumentation and our new Plant Science Laboratory, and responding to BER¹s call to explore the potential of radiotracer imaging in energy and environmentally-responsive contexts, we propose to develop new scientific tools to image the movement of molecules in energy-relevant and environmentally-sensitive contexts. Our goal is to visualize metabolic networks and regulatory systems underlying cellular communication in the living organism including plants and microbial communities. This has broad implications to DOE missions in energy and the environment and is very relevant to improvements in plant biomass for biofuel.

Last Modified: September 9, 2010
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One of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab also builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE's Office of Science by Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by Stony Brook University, the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle, a nonprofit, applied science and technology organization.

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