LABORATORI NAZIONALI DI LEGNARO
Physics, as a fundamental science, has the power to provide crucial contributions to the solution of important problems still affecting humankind. Among these, the treatment and prevention of diseases rank among the most relevant. Nuclear medicine offers a particularly enlightening example of the role played by nuclear physics for the progress of medical sciences. The production of new radioisotopes having physical characteristics suitable for diagnostic or therapeutic applications has been a key factor for developing efficient solutions of challenging clinical problems. Cardiac diseases are the leading cause of death in developed countries. The radioisotope Rubidium-82 is the most important tracer for assessing myocardial viability with positron emission tomography (PET). This radionuclide is obtained through the weak decay of the parent radionuclide Strontium-82 and collected by elution from a transportable generator system. In turn, Strontium-82 is produced by proton bombardment of a natural rubidium target with cyclotrons. The availability of large quantities of Strontium-82 is essential to ensure a constant supply of Rubidium-82 to hospitals for cardiac studies in patients, but this supply chain is still fragile because the number of producers is limited to a few centers. Bracco is the company leader worldwide for the manufacturing and distribution of Sr-82/Rb-82 generators. In this seminar, Dr. Adrian Nunn, Executive Director of Bracco Research USA, will narrate the most salient scientific aspects of a story that, initiated at the core of nuclear physics, has led to develop an important diagnostic tool for medicine and the benefit of all humankind. Summary prepared by A. Duatti)

DATA: 15-10-2015