Chemistry:
The scope of the chemistry facilities extends from formulation, vialing, and
sterilization of emulsion-based contrast agents, to synthesis of novel compounds
(metal chelators, active imaging compounds such as radionuclide ligands and CT agents),
to full analytical and dosimetry capabilities with HPLC, GC, TLC, Mass Spectrometry,
NMR, etc. Available are: 1) Two Microfluidics M-110S microfluidizers with
post-interaction chamber pressure monitoring for emulsion production, 2) a Malvern
Zetasizer 4 laser light scattering particle sizer for submicron particle sizing.
3) a Coulter Multisizer II for micron range particle counting and sizing; 4) a Labconco
console tray/bottle lyophilizer for producing and storing antibody generated by large
scale hybridoma production and purification; 5) a custom-designed Sterile King autoclave
with roller bottle, misting and external pressurization; 6) Olympus phase microscope for
visual emulsion evaluation; 7) Brookfield viscometer and osmometer; 8) Laminar flow
biohood for preparation: 9) a Bruker mq20 Minispec Analyzer for characterization of
gadolinium bearing agents and fluorine determination; 10) Agilent 6890 plus gas-liquid
chromatograph and autosampler with flame ionization and thermal conductivity detectors
for measuring perfluorocarbon concentrations in the emulsion, blood and tissues; 11)
Waters HPLC 600S controller, 717 autosampler, 474 scanning fluorescence detector, 2487
dual wavelength detector, 626 pump and Compaq computer with integration software, and
an Alltech HPLC evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD); and 12) a136XT Peptide
synthesizer (CS Bio Co.; Menlo Park, CA)