Sept. 19, 2024
Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu

When it comes to the fight against cancer, medical isotopes are key. These radioactive atoms allow medical professionals to visualize, diagnose and successfully treat certain types of diseases while reducing side effects and risks to patients.

The University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) is the only U.S. producer of four of these isotopes.

Here’s how they work. The radioactive compounds produced at MURR are linked to targeting molecules to make up radiopharmaceuticals. These drugs are then administered to the body, where they seek out and stick to cancer cells. The radioactive isotopes release energy that destroys cancer cells without damaging healthy cells.

Because of radioactive decay, radioisotopes have a short shelf-life, which means they can’t be stockpiled. That’s why MURR’s location in the central U.S. and year-round operations are critical to meeting time-sensitive medical demands.

Meet the Mizzou-made isotopes improving and saving lives around the world.