Radiometals: Novel methods in production, radiochemistry and application

放射性同位素既可以在核反应堆中生产，也可以在粒子加速器中生产，前者由于反应堆的功率更大，而紧凑的商业加速器(回旋加速器)相对稀缺，因此长期以来一直定义着全球生产模式。然而，全球格局正在发生变化；基于回旋加速器的同位素生产现在更加普遍，而世界各地的反应堆计划在未来几年内停产。这种对我们同位素供应的感知威胁正在重新定义在科学和医学中最关键的同位素是如何以及在哪里制造的。加拿大早就认识到了这个问题，并在回旋加速器技术上投入了大量资金。这个国家现在拥有世界上最先进的粒子加速器基础设施之一，随之而来的是一个强大的放射性制药社区。

Radioisotopes can be produced either in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators, with the former having long-defined the global production paradigm due to the higher power of reactors and relative scarcity of compact, commercially available accelerators (cyclotrons). However, the global landscape is changing; cyclotron-based isotope production is now more prevalent, while reactors around the world are scheduled to go off-line within the next few years. This perceived threat to our isotope supply is re-defining how and where the isotopes most vital for use in science and medicine are made. Canada has long recognized this issue and has invested heavily in cyclotron technology. This country now boasts one of the most advanced particle accelerator infrastructures in the world, and with it, a strong radiopharmaceutical community.