Designing new F-18 radiotracers using LabLogic instruments

14 June 2022

Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse, France

Emmanuel Gras has been using the Scan-RAM and Flow-RAM at Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse

Emmanuel Gras is a radiochemist based at the Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse, where, in collaboration with the INSERM ToNIC U1214 unit, hosting the innovative radiochemistry and radiopharmacy platform (PiR2 financed by the Occitanie Region and the FEDER), he uses LabLogic's Scan-RAM radio-TLC scanner and Flow-RAM radio-HPLC detector to synthesise new radiotracers using Fluoride-18.

Emmanuel is a researcher at France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) and the Fundamental and Applied Heterochemistry Laboratory (Laboratoire Hétérochimie Fondamentale et Appliquée). Emmanuel has developed an excellent working relationship with LabLogic, and we spoke to him to find out how he has been getting on.

Collaborative research at the Fundamental and Applied Heterochemistry Laboratory

Emmanuel began by explaining his current work at the LHFA and within the Toulouse Mind & Brain Institute (TMBI).

“TMBI is an association of neuroscientists and researchers, and what I do as a radiochemist is advise on how to design and produce new radiochemicals to visualise a particular biological entity or function. This applies not only to neurology but also to cancer or cardiovascular research. I collaborate with people who are interested in moving towards in vivo imaging and we design Fluorine-18 radiotracers in our synthesis hot cells. We are doing the radiochemistry manually to test the reaction conditions and assess efficient processes.”

Dedicated customer service

Emmanuel said he has been using the Flow-RAM and Scan-RAM on a weekly basis for over a year now; every time he worked with radioactive fluoride. When asked why he chose these instruments over other suppliers, he said, “An important factor has been meeting with Dave Johnson, LabLogic’s Sales Director for France, as we had a great contact with him and found someone who was carefully listening to our needs to provide the best fitting solution. Having a dedicated French office meant LabLogic was always available to visit in person at a reasonable time, and Dave was always ready to come and help. Based on the data provided it was difficult to appreciate significant technical differences between suppliers, so it came down to a matter of service. That was really an important factor in the final choice.”

LabLogic's Scan-RAM radio-TLC Scanner

Plug-and-Play systems

When asked if, after a year of use, he could appreciate the design and specifications of the LabLogic instruments, Emmanuel answered yes.

“I have used another radio-HPLC detector before, but only in a very experimental sense when I first moved from chemistry into radiochemistry, and I remember it being difficult to work with. What I really appreciate about the Flow-RAM is that it is very easy to use, you do not need to be an expert. It really is just Plug-and-Play once it has been installed by LabLogic’s service engineer. For me and the work I do, there is nothing I would change.”

Emmanuel uses LabLogic’s Laura for PET radiochromatography software with the Scan-RAM, and also transfers the Flow-RAM’s signal to an Agilent chromatography software solution.

“LabLogic has been the right choice”

When asked how he has found LabLogic’s service, Emmanuel laughs and says “Perfect!” before continuing. “Because we’ve never had any problems, there isn’t much to say about the service, but if I’ve ever had a question about how something works or does something the way it does, Dave has always answered very quickly and the contact with him has always been excellent and remains as such.

“I’m happy to recommend LabLogic, and I am not a fan of mixing systems, so LabLogic has been the right choice based on my experience.”

Find out more

You can learn more about the Flow-RAM and Scan-RAM by clicking the button below to speak with our product specialist directly to request a one-to-one guided demonstration.

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