Department Seminar: Dr. Benjamin Rotstein
Mar 6, 2025
10:30AM to 11:20AM
Date/Time
Date(s) - 06/03/2025
10:30 am - 11:20 am
Title: Chemical Labeling with Carbon-11 Carbon Dioxide: Strategies for Tracer Discovery
Date: Thursday March 6, 2025
Time: 10:30-11:20am
Room: ABB 165
Host: Dr. James Inkster
Abstract:
Radiolabeling 11C-carbonyl groups of carbamates, ureas, heterocycles, carboxylic acids, and amides can be accomplished using [11C]CO2 (carbon-11, t1/2 = 20.4 min) generated directly from medical cyclotrons. These methods are complementary to methylation strategies using [11C]CH3I and offer access to complex molecules using structurally simpler chemical precursors. Robust methods can be used for targeted syntheses of positron emission tomography radiopharmaceuticals and for discovery of novel molecular imaging agents. This lecture will discuss approaches for using 11C in molecular imaging research and chemical methods developed in our lab to improve the utility of this most versatile PET radionuclide for radiotracer discovery against multiple targets in heart, brain, and cancer imaging.
Biography:
Dr. Benjamin Rotstein is Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology at University of Ottawa and a Scientist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, where he directs the Molecular Imaging Probes and Radiochemistry laboratory. He completed his PhD at University of Toronto, studying amphoteric molecules in multicomponent reactions under the supervision of Prof. Andrei Yudin. As a postdoctoral fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, he developed methods for small molecule radiofluorination and characterized positron emission tomography imaging agents for neurodegeneration. Since moving to Ottawa, Dr. Rotstein’s research focuses on radiotracer development for cardiovascular imaging and enabling technologies using carbon-11 carbon dioxide.