Hello! Yes, I know...I haven't posted in quite a while. Over two months in fact! I love having my consulting business out of my home, but regular life has a tendency to invade my "office" and dictate how much time I really want to dedicate to AM Rossmeisl Consulting. Be that as it may, my life has permitted me to carve out another post for this blog. So here I go! I realize that in my previous post, I said I would write about specific iodination techniques and when to choose them. I decided to go a different route.
This time around I thought I would discuss the topic of how unique it is for a chemist to possess the knowledge of radioiodination techniques. To be perfectly honest, I never thought I would be in this position. While in college, I thought I would eventually get a job in the biotech field, but not necessarily a position requiring so much chemistry expertise. When I obtained the position in DuPont's Iodination Department, I figured I would only stay there a short time gaining experience and the like and then move on and advance to something else. I stayed fourteen years! I really began to enjoy what I did and after a few years decided that I would rather advance in that department instead of somewhere else. Besides, with my biology degree (and chemistry minor), I also had the added benefit of having some skills and understanding of biological topics and subject matters. I was in a unique niche. I was gaining knowledge of iodination techniques (and becoming quite adept and experienced) and also comprehended an understanding of how biological assays worked as well as knowing the pharmacokinetics of pharmaceutical compounds. I possessed the acumen of having chemistry as well as biology insights. This truly was an asset when working with researchers in obtaining the final results they wished to achieve in their projects when either developing new drugs or discovering new assays for diagnostic purposes.
Labeling compounds and molecules with the isotopes of iodine is still widely utilized since detection of radioactive iodine is efficient (i.e high energy gamma emitter) and the handling of said isotopes is somewhat safer than other means. However, researchers don't want to spend a great deal of time synthesizing radioiodinated compounds since in reality it could take up some time and this is time taken away from other vital segments of their projects. It's understandable. This is why researchers and scientists depend on chemists like myself to assist them in either providing the actual radioiodinated compound required or lend some expertise if they decide to label the compound themselves. This is the focus and goal of my consulting service. This also explains what I mean by possessing a unique skill set. Knowledge of radioiodination techniques is a valued asset to have. Sometimes researchers cannot determine why they encounter issues and problems when they attempt to iodinate a compound themselves. They are very adept in their given research circumstances, but don't realize that there are nuances and specific aspects in iodinating compounds that is only learned after years of experience in synthesizing these compounds.
Factors to consider when iodinating compounds are: what technique will be best for the compound, where is the active site or binding site on the molecule and what will the effect of radiation or oxidation be on the compound. Consideration has to also be made as to which optimum purification will be best. Specific activity requirements also need to be examined. I will not go into specifics here; however, I will write future posts about determining which labeling and purifying techniques should be chosen and the reasons why. Stay tuned!
In conclusion, I believe that a chemist who acquires this skill set in knowing how to perform radioiodination reactions and subsequent purifications can contribute greatly to the science world. Individuals who provide this service can aid their respective colleagues in achieving their research endeavors. I am proud to be one of those individuals.
Thanks for stopping by! Look forward to the next post about choosing specific radioiodination reaction and purification conditions. Until next time!
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