radiolabelled

Radiolabelled refers to a substance that has been tagged with a radioisotope. This tagging process involves incorporating a radioactive atom into the molecule of interest. The presence of the radioisotope allows the substance to be detected and traced using radiation detection equipment. This technique is widely used in various scientific and medical fields.

In medical imaging, radiolabelled compounds, often called radiotracers, are administered to patients. These radiotracers accumulate in specific organs or tissues, and their distribution is then visualized using techniques like Positron Emission Tomography (PET) or Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). This allows for the diagnosis of diseases, assessment of organ function, and monitoring of treatment effectiveness.

Beyond medical applications, radiolabelled compounds are crucial in research. They are used to study metabolic pathways, drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME), and to track the movement of molecules in biological systems. In environmental science, they can be used to monitor the fate and transport of pollutants. The choice of radioisotope depends on factors such as the desired half-life, the type of radiation emitted, and the chemical properties of the substance being labelled. Safety precautions are essential when handling radiolabelled materials due to their radioactive nature.