PRISMAP Summer School on radiopharmaceutical science: from radiochemistry to preclinical studies

Overview of the Summer School

The course brings together a group of C2TN/IST scientists who, together with international experts, will present theoretical lectures on hot topics in radiopharmaceutical sciences, including radiolabelled chemistry, synthesis and conjugation of biomolecules, in silico approaches, methods for preclinical studies with cellular and animal models, and preclinical dosimetry. The theoretical lectures will be complemented by laboratory sessions to exemplify the various steps involved in the synthesis and evaluation of a potential radiopharmaceutical.

The course will also include a visit to the facilities of the Nuclear Medicine Service of the Fundação Champalimaud, a Portuguese foundation that focuses on advanced biomedical research to provide translational and interdisciplinary clinical care. Overall, trainees will acquire practical skills and scientific knowledge to understand the most important aspects required to bring radiopharmaceuticals from the bench to the patient's bedside.

The course is organised as part of the PRISMAP project, funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under grant agreement No 101008571 (PRISMAP).

Agenda

Target audience / Language

MSc, PhD students and junior scientists interested in the field of 'Radiopharmaceutical Sciences'. Due to the practical nature of the course, a maximum number of 20 participants will be considered. Applicants must be fluent in English, as all lectures will be delivered in English.

Learning outcomes

• Participants will gain knowledge on the most relevant advances in radiopharmaceutical chemistry of emerging medical radionuclides, from radiohalogens to radiometals.
• They will know the most common methodologies for the synthesis and modification of peptide-based targeting vectors for (radio)therapeutic applications.
• They will acquire the necessary skills to understand how chemical biology, in vivo click chemistry and pre-targeting strategies can improve the performance of radiopharmaceuticals.
• They will know the contribution of in silico studies to optimise radiopharmaceutical design.
• They will gain practical experience on the different techniques and tools used for analytical control and purification of radiopharmaceuticals.
• They will acquire expertise on biochemical, biological and dosimetry studies involved in the preclinical evaluation of a potential radiopharmaceutical.

Price

The summer school is free of charge, but registration is mandatory.

Registration

To register for the course, please complete the form with an application including contact details, CV and a short motivation letter (max. 200 words) by 30 June 2023.

Due to the practical nature of the course, a maximum number of 20 participants will be considered. After the registration period, the local organisers will select the participants who will be informed of their acceptance or non-acceptance to participate in the course by 7 July 2023.

Selection criteria:

• Impact on the participant's scientific career
• Educational, geographical and gender diversity

Accommodation

Participants must book and support their own accommodation. The offer of accommodation in the Lisbon area is wide (Airbnb, hostels or hotels). We suggest the following hotel: Hotel ibis Lisboa Parque das Nações. Not far from the Gare do Oriente train station (5-minute walk), from where you can take a train to the Bobadela train station (10-minute ride). The course venue (CTN campus) is an 8-minute walk from the Bobadela station.

To support the trip, participants can apply for the ENEN2plus mobility grant.