Trialect

Active

On Hold-Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research

Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf
(5/5) - 2 reviews

Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf

Main Areas of Interest

HZDR aims at making progress in early diagnosis and therapy of cancer. It collaborates with partners from university medicine (National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, OncoRay, in Dresden). HZDR cancer research concentrates on three major fields: new radioactive pharmaceuticals for cancer diagnosis and therapy, innovative medical imaging methods used in oncology as well as particle acceleration using new laser technologies for radiation oncology.

The main research areas of our Institute are:

The institute’s activities are focussed on research and development towards radiolabelled compounds for the functional characterisation and therapy of tumours.

Radioactively labelled compounds, i.e. radiotracers and radiotherapeutics as radioactive drugs, that specifically bind to neoplastic tissue of various tumours entities are developed. To achieve this goal, the discovery and production of appropriate radionuclides as well as the identification of compounds for specific tumours targeting are important prerequisites. Imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), magnetic resonance tomography (MRT), optical imaging (OI) and computed tomography (CT) as well as their multimodal combinations are applied to characterise these compounds.

Incorporation of certain radionuclides into target-specific radiopharmaceuticals requires the use of bifunctional chelating agents (BFCAs) to bind the radionuclide to a bioactive molecule. An important requirement is that the resulting radionuclide-ligand complex is both kinetically and thermodynamically stable in vivo, in order to minimize the release of the radionuclide to healthy tissue and therefore reduce the background for imaging and minimize radiation exposure to healthy tissue during therapy.

Techniques You Will Learn

Experimental techniques you will learn during your program here:

Synthesis and characterisation (NMR, IR, UV/Vis, fluorescence spectroscopy and mass spectrometry) of novel BFCAs and their metal complexes
Synthesis and characterisation of functional nanomaterials and cluster compounds (silicon quantum dots, upconverting nanomaterials, rhenium clusters) for multifunctional imaging and treatment of cancer
Suitable conjugation strategies for attaching targeting modules to BFCAs and bio(nano)materials, including site-specific modification
Solid phase peptide synthesis
Radiolabelling procedures
Autoradiography
Experimental determination of log D-values
Challenge assays to assess stability of radiolabelled compounds
Analytical and preparative (radio)chromatography (thin layer, reverse phase, size-exclusion, affinity chromatography)
Dynamic light scattering (DLS)
Microscale thermophoresis
Gel electrophoresis
Cell proliferation/toxicity assays
Cultivation and expression of recombinant proteins
Cell binding studies
Confocal microscopy
Flow cytometry

Curriculum

6-12 weeks curriculum

Fellows will receive support to settle down into their new environment, i.e. find appropriate accommodation, locate amenities, etc. Desk space will made available. Full induction, i.e. safety, laboratory practices, personal welfare, etc., will be provided by designated staff. An initial meeting with the fellow will be arranged to discuss the objectives of the training and then realistic timelines will be decided.

The fellows will receive support in learning new techniques to enable them to perform the planned experiments independently. They will be able to engage with the supervisor and other members of the Institute to discuss any aspects of the experimental work or specific protocols that require clarifications. They will receive support in how to analyse and interpret their data. There is at least a bi-weekly meeting with the fellow to discuss and reflect on their progress and decide the next set of experiments based on data generated.

A fellow must keep adequate and accurate records of their work using the laboratory book provided.

The opportunity to actively participating in research group meetings will be given to the fellows, including attending relevant bespoke workshops on research career development (e.g., on manuscript writing, grant writing, networking, etc.). They will also be encouraged to present their work orally at a research group meeting at least once before they complete their visit.

Towards the end of the training, a meeting with the fellows will take place to discuss plans to publish the work (if enough data collected) or disseminate the findings in a suitable conference. They will also be assisted identifying early career programs existing or future opportunities, globally or within their original work environment.

Throughout the training, any peculiar challenges or specific requests of the fellows will fully considered to ensure that a responsive, relevant and adequate training plan is developed for them.

Accommodation

Accommodation

HZDR Guest House (hzdr.de); 2-5 minutes walking to HZDR

International Guest House of Technical University Dresden near the City Centre of Dresden (public transport to HZDR available, 45 minutes) (studentenwerk)

Fellows receive support from the International Office of HZDR: (hzdr.de)

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Fees and Program Logistics

This program has the following durations available:

Duration	Fee

Who Can Apply

All

Host Details

Host Name: Dr. Holger Stephan

Affiliation: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf

Address: e. V. Bautzner Landstraße; 400, 01328 Dresden; Germany

Website URL: https://www.hzdr.de/db/Cms?pNid=491

Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.

Onsite/On-Campus Program

Traineeship

Germany

Application Review Deadline:

Oct 1st, 2024

Apply Now

Reviews

Corlan Ana Silvia 9 months ago

(5/5)

The most beautiful experience in a research center! Great ideas, great researchers, ready to share ideas about research projects! Very polite! I wish I can repeat the experience....For a longer stay!

Rozy 2 years ago

(5/5)

The host Dr. Holger Stephan and his team were very humble and supportive throughout..The traineeship experience has definitely expanded my research skills and given me a better insight into the recent advancements in the area of radiopharmaceutical research. Among the many good aspects of the training, the first would be planning the objectives and schedule for the training. The host carefully planned my training work keeping in mind my research interests, prior experience in this area, and what new could be added to my experience. Secondly, considering the comfort and safety aspect, a world-class infrastructure equipped with all safety controls and managed by experts was made available for the entire period. Also proper training and assistance were also provided whenever required, which helped me complete the work comfortably on time.