Chemistry and Synthesis Center (formerly IPDC)

National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The Chemistry and Synthesis Center (CSC) formerly known as the Imaging Probe Development Center (IPDC) produces chemical tools, including novel imaging probes and drug discovery leads, for the NIH intramural research community. The CSC was one of the components of the molecular imaging aspect of the NIH Roadmap initiative. The CSC laboratories began full operations in 2007, and provided increased PET labeling capabilities in 2014. The CSC is now part of the NIH Intramural Program. The group has produced an exceptional number of compounds and compositions between 2007 and 2025. The probes extend across all imaging modalities including MRI, PET, SPECT, and Optical imaging. CSC produces new compounds and repeats and scales-up current syntheses in order to supply requests for chemical tools from multiple investigators. The group has prepared dendrimers, nanoparticles, labeled antibodies, small molecules, peptides and radiolabeled compounds. The work at CSC has been reported to the scientific community in posters at scientific meetings and publications in peer reviewed journals. A website, linked to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institutes website (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/research/intramural/researchers/programs/imaging-probe-development-center) is available to view publications, project requests and a database which showcases the diverse probes our staff have developed since the inception of the Imaging Probe Development Center. From there, other interested NIH intramural scientists may request probes from CSC and study the synthetic methods used to prepare the probes, should they wish to attempt certain probe syntheses themselves. In 2014 the PET chemists of CSC moved into a new lab in Building 10 of the NIH campus, with three hot cells and increased capacity for producing 18F PET ligands. We have also produced 89Zr labeled antibodies. At this point, the CSC is fully operational and will see a further strengthening of its capabilities, knowledge and its compound production potential. Recently, CSC has prepared PROTACS compounds and covalent inhibitors for projects. The CSC will continue to be a resource for all NIH Institutes and Centers. We will continue to look to improve translation of imaging probes and drug discovery leads into the realms of clinical development.