Department of energy partners to bolster domestic radioisotope supply
The Department of Energy is collaborating with the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) to establish a reliable domestic supply of an isotope critical to the functionality of imaging equipment.
Gadolinium-153, or Gd-153, is routinely used to calibrate nuclear imaging equipment. It has been in short supply since 2023 when global distribution of the radioisotope came to a halt. During that time, researchers with MURR worked alongside Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), which purifies a material necessary to produce Gd-152, to help bolster the domestic supply of the radioisotope.
Now, MURR and the DOE’s Office of Isotope R&D and Production (IRP) are working to maintain the production of Gd-153 here in the United States. MURR will ensure the supply stays stable for IRP so that there is enough to address backlogs and ongoing commercial needs.
“Having a Gd-153 production pipeline within the United States is a major benefit for our nation and the world,” Christopher Landers, director of the DOE’s Office of Isotope R&D and Production, said in a statement. “Establishing secure domestic supply chains of critical isotopes, like Gd-153, is central to the mission of IRP and its role in meeting the needs of the nation from health care to national security and everything in between.”
“MURR’s research, development, and production teams work together to bring new isotope technologies to fruition,” added Matt Sanford, executive director of MURR. “Our researchers, scientists and staff are tackling complex nuclear science challenges and delivering results that are improving and saving lives. Our partnership with the Department of Energy is vital to ensuring the nation has the needed radioisotopes now and in the future.”
The experts at MURR are no strangers to stepping up when radioisotope supply chains are disrupted. The research reactor has increased its output on multiple occasions in recent years when high-flux reactors across the pond have been sidelined, and researchers have been working for years to decrease the U.S.'s reliance on foreign suppliers of radioisotopes.
Read more about their role in the DOE partnership here.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.