To a patient, PET imaging is relatively simple. It consists of the injection of an incredibly tiny amount of a radioactive drug, followed by a short wait, and then a twenty-minute scan of their whole body. But behind the scenes lies a remarkable marriage of nuclear physics, engineering, cyclotrons, and mathematics. The coordinated logistics and technology required to perform PET scans are remarkably complex, and include a nearby cyclotron to produce the necessary radionuclides, and trained radiochemists to perform rapid radiochemistry syntheses using remote, computer-controlled radiochemistry syntheses modules—all performed under sterile conditions.

This webinar will explore the nuclear and atomic physics that lie at the heart of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging technology, and the critical role that positrons (antimatter electrons) serve in image creation. We will cover new technological and engineering developments that continue to drive PET scanners to higher sensitivities and resolution, and new radiopharmaceutical developments that are expanding the use of PET in both the research and clinical domain. Some of the more common and exciting clinical and research applications of PET imaging will be presented in detail. This webinar will include a discussion of the purposeful design of radiopharmaceuticals (drug molecules radioactively tagged with a positron-emitting radionuclide) to bind to highly specific molecular targets that elucidate the biochemical signatures of particular diseases.

PET is a remarkably versatile clinical medical imaging modality that distinguishes itself from other more common techniques like MRI and CT because PET images the underlying biochemistry of disease, not just anatomy. That is critically important because most diseases are biochemical in nature and manifest themselves through biochemical signatures long before anatomical changes become detectable. Millions of PET scans are performed annually to help diagnose and guide the treatment of different kinds of cancer, as well as cardiac and neurological diseases.

Attendee learning outcomes:

• Understanding how radioactive emissions from radionuclides are used in both medical imaging and therapy
• Understanding how positron decay and positron-electron annihilations are integral to PET scan image formation
• Understanding how a PET scanner creates diagnostic medical images
• Understanding how PET scanners image human biochemistry
• Understanding some of the clinical applications of PET scanning in cancer, and neurologic and cardiac applications

Who Should Attend:

• High school and college educators interested in real-world applications of nuclear and atomic physics
• Detector physicists and engineers
• Physicians
• Organic chemists

About the Physics Today Editor’s Choice Webinar Series:

Hear from innovative researchers addressing real-world challenges in this bespoke series from Physics Today. The Editor’s Choice webinar series runs throughout the year and comprises a range of popular topics hand-selected by the Physics Today editorial team based on their alignment with our audience’s diverse interests.

To view all upcoming and on demand events, visit our webinar page .