Major Research Project Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry

Course

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/XM_0042

Course Objective

The aim is to obtain experience in scientific research including the design and execution of experiments and to critically interpret and reflect on the experimental results. The project will be conducted within the field of Radiopharmaceutical chemistry in one of the following settings: - University or Academic hospital - Research institute - Company The internship can be performed either within the Netherlands or abroad.

Course Content

The focus lies on the development and biological evaluation of novel radiopharmaceuticals to study and profile a disease in vitro and in vivo. Continuously new targets and drugs are being discovered and developed. However, drug development is a complex process, which is time consuming and often during late stage (phase II or III) clinical studies a drug is not further developed. Within the radionuclide center we have the unique opportunity to synthesize PET tracers and study these radioactively labeled compounds for their in vitro and in vivo behavior as well as the disease itself. Drug lead compounds or analogues can be turned into PET tracers by labeling the molecules of interest with carbon-11 and fluorine-18 for small molecules or zirconium-89 for proteins and antibodies. Prior to any radiolabeling for PET tracer synthesis, the precursor molecules need to be synthesized, which requires state of art organic medicinal chemistry. All disease areas can be studies using PET imaging, but mainly comprise neurological or oncological disorders. Ultimately, the use of radiopharmaceutical chemistry will allow a more rapid drug development process since we can better understand both disease and the in vivo behavior of drug. During the traineeship, the student actively participates in a research project as exerted by the host group/institute and entails one or more of the following sub-disciplines: 1) Organic synthesis 2) Radiochemistry 3) Analytical chemistry 4) Molecular biology 5) Molecular pharmacology The specific content of the project depends on the associated supervisor(s), available projects on location and the timing of the internship. Attention will be paid to setting up new research/experiments, using state-of-the-art experimental techniques, analyzing experimental results and keeping adequate documentation. In all, the student will get exposed to doing research as well as to contemporary specialist techniques.

Teaching Methods

Literature review, formulating a research question, conducting experiments, keeping adequate documentation (e.g. labjournal), analyzing data, reporting on results in progress/group meetings, in a written thesis and final presentation within the research group.

Method of Assessment

Academic attitude, execution, oral presentation and written thesis

Literature

Starting literature will be provided by the supervisor. The first 1-2weeks of the traineeship will be spent on literature reading andpreparation for the project.

Target Audience

Research variant of mDDS-Synthesis of Drugs, DDS-Molecular Pharmacology(Depending on the project)

Custom Course Registration

The number of internal (VU) internship positions is limited. Candidates are selected based on their motivation letter and CV in an application procedure. The letter and CV should be received no later than 4 weeks before the desired start of the internship. See the canvas site “Master Drug Discovery Sciences” for more information regarding this application procedure. Be aware that selection procedures exist for most external positions as well. Before the start of the project an internship agreement has to be signed by all involved parties and the project proposal has to be approved by the VU supervisor via the online internship management system. See the “Master Drug Discovery Sciences Internship manual” for more information on the rules and regulation regarding internships. If after reading the manual you still have questions regarding the process related to internships, admission, approval, etc., please contact the internship coordinator via [email protected].

Additional Information

The standard length of a major internship is 42 EC (7 months). Extension up to 60 EC (10 months) can be incorporated as part of the optional part of the master program. Make sure you discuss your personal education plan with your master (track) coordinator well in advance. See the “Master Drug Discovery Sciences Internship manual” for more information (rules, regulations, tips, etc.) on the internship process. This manual can be found on the canvas community “Master Drug Discovery Sciences”.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements with respect to attained courses and number of credits apply. See the Education and Examination regulations and the internship manual Drug Discovery Sciences. For questions, consult the internship coordinator well in advance ([email protected]). In addition, an internal radiation safety course will have to be completed, including an exam, before the student is allowed to do radiochemistry experiments. This training is a part of the internship.
Academic year1/09/2431/08/25
Course level42.00 EC

Language of Tuition

  • English

Study type

  • Master