Submitted by lac59 on Wed, 13/08/2025 - 15:48
Professor Ganiyat Oloyede, a leading expert in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, recently completed a research visit to the Molecular Imaging Chemistry Laboratory (MICL) in Cambridge. Her stay, from June 5th to 22nd, marks a significant step in a collaborative project with MICL Director, Professor Franklin Aigbirhio.
Funded by the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund, the partnership focuses on developing a pioneering new radioactive tracer for adrenal imaging in diagnosing high blood pressure.
What is being developed?
An imaging agent for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography scans. Specifically a technetium-99m labelled imaging agent called [99mTc]CETO. Technetium-99m is the most commonly used medical radioisotope in the world, its use adapted for a wide range of different types of medical imaging.
The new agent builds on the success of the [18F]CETO PET radiotracer previously developed by Prof. Aigbirhio’s team.
During her visit, Prof. Oloyede investigated the chemistry required for the project and toured the radiopharmacy at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Her next visit will delve into technetium-99m labelling techniques, with the goal of adapting this molecular imaging technology for use in her labs, with the goal of making it widely available in labs and hospitals in Nigeria.
Further collaborative work is planned at MICL, and the team looks forward to welcoming Prof. Oloyede back to Cambridge in 2026.
