Improving how we label medicines for better imaging and tracking

Carbon isotope exchange mediated by vanadium complexes

NIH-funded research Florida International University · NIH-11144412

This project aims to create new chemical tools to add special carbon atoms to medicines, helping us see how they work in the body.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFlorida International University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Miami, United States)
Project IDNIH-11144412 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project is developing new chemical methods using special vanadium compounds to attach unique carbon atoms, like Carbon-11 or Carbon-14, to different medicines. These labeled medicines can then be tracked inside the body. For example, Carbon-14 helps scientists understand how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. Carbon-11 is crucial for PET scans, which are imaging tests that can show how organs and tissues are functioning. By making it easier to label a wide range of drugs, this work could lead to more effective drug development and better diagnostic tools.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational chemistry research does not directly involve patients, but future clinical applications might benefit patients undergoing drug metabolism studies or PET imaging.

Not a fit: Patients will not directly participate in or receive immediate benefit from this basic chemical methodology development.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could speed up the development of new drugs and improve diagnostic imaging techniques by making it easier to track medicines in the body.

How similar studies have performed: Carbon isotope exchange is an emerging area, and this work proposes a novel approach using vanadium catalysts, building on preliminary results and theoretical studies.

Where this research is happening

Miami, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.