Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university in life sciences (e.g. physics, radiophysics, chemistry or biology), medicine, pharmacy, nursing, or other relevant university education. Radiation Protection and Medical Effects, 6 credits.

Learning outcomes

The course applies knowledge from the course Radiation Protection and Medical Effects, 4 p (6 ECTS credits) and will prepare for continued studies within the program. After passed course it is expected that the student can:

• explain essential concept of nuclear physics including basic concepts in the nucleus construction, nuclear reactions and cross-section
• describe the principles for reactor- and accelerator production of radionuclides
• describe the physical, chemical and technical aspects of radionuclide production
• present the most important radionuclides used in medical and preclinical work and give notes of history and future prospects
• describe separation of radionuclides; ion exchange, liquid extraction, thermo-diffusion and other relevant separation methods
• calculate yields and specific radioactivity
• describe handling of high levels of radioactivity using robotics, hotboxes etc.
• describe synthesis methods for 14-C and 3-H labelling
• evaluate and describe different labelling methods and the influence of labelling methods on the biological function of substances
• plan and carry out labelling of macromolecules and quality control of biological function, summarise and critically analyse the results
• carry out literature projects on labelling chemistry and present and discuss the results

Content

• Characterisation of radionuclides for medical use, their use from a historical perspective and a view into the future
• A short introduction in nuclear physics including models of the atomic nucleus, nuclear reactions and the cross-section concept
• Reactor- and accelerator production of radionuclides. Physical, chemical and technical aspects of radionuclide production
• How to handle high levels of radioactivity using robotics, hotboxes etc.
• Radionuclide separation using ion exchange, liquid extraction, thermo-diffusion etc.
• Calculations of yields and specific radioactivity
• Labelling methods; history and future perspectives
• General overview of the development of radiolabelled pharmaceuticals
• Radionuclides for preclinical applications
• Methods for synthesis of low molecular weight radiopharmaceuticals
• Synthesis methods for 14-C and 3-H labelling
• Direct and indirect labelling of macromolecules
• The effect of labelling methods on the biological function of substances
• Quality control and biological and medical evaluation after radiolabelling

Instruction

Lectures, laboratory work, seminars and study visits. Course-specific web site information and education material.

Assessment

Written examination at the end of the course. A passing grade for the entire course also requires passing grade for seminars and laboratory work. The grades “Pass” or “Fail” are given.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.