Positron Emission Tomography Laboratory, PET

The Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Laboratory is unique within the Slovak Republic. Located in a monitored radiation protection zone, the laboratory features a microPET device that enables 3D scanning of objects labeled with a positron emitter (such as 18F deoxyfluoroglucose and 64Cu). The subjects of study include plants, and preparations are being made to accommodate small laboratory animals. 
 

At the end of April 2018, the Radioecology and Nuclear Analysis workplace was expanded to include the PET Laboratory (Figure A). This expansion was based on a Joint Research Facility Agreement with BIONT, a.s., signed on April 23, 2018. As a result, the experimental positron emission tomograph microPET eXplore Vista Pre-Clinical PET Scanner by GE Healthcare was installed (Figure B). This is the only device of its kind in Slovakia, not just within higher education institutions. With the establishment of the PET Laboratory as a joint research facility and the installation of the microPET system, the scientific research focus of PRNA is expanding. This includes research on plants involving in vivo and real-time imaging and analysis of the transport of a wide range of radiolabeled substances and metals within plant tissues. It also covers the area of radiopharmacokinetics and theranostics. In the near future, to support the development of research in radiopharmacokinetics and theranostics, PRNA plans to expand to include facilities for housing experimental animals. 
 

All PRNA laboratory spaces (eight rooms: Isotope Laboratory, Hygienic Loop, Measurement Laboratory, Scientific Research Laboratory, Lysimeter Laboratory, Sample Preparation Laboratory, Sensitive Gamma Spectrometry Laboratory, and PET Laboratory) primarily serve to address scientific research tasks (projects) and to educate students in Bachelor’s programs (Environmental Protection and Restoration, Chemistry, Biotechnology, and Applied Biology), Master’s programs (Biotechnology, Applied Chemistry, Biomedical Chemistry, and Applied Biology), and PhD programs (Applied Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Biotechnology, and Molecular Biology).