Opening of the RBI Center for Modern Preclinical Research
The Minister of Science, Education and Sports, Dr. Radovan Fuchs formally opened the Centre for Nuclear Molecular Diagnostics at the RBI today. This is the first PET/CT center for preclinical research in the region which will facilitate in vivo research in the fields of tumor biology, degenerative diseases and the monitoring of metabolic processes in living organisms for a wide spectrum of bioactive molecules marked with radioisotopes.
The opening of such a center in Croatia will place it alongside such capacities in countries such as Germany, France, Italy and Finland. These European countries provide their services not only for scientific research in the fields of tumor biology, neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes, but further offer molecular and nuclear diagnostic services to commercial users such as the pharmaceutical industry for which these services are essential to the development and testing of new drugs.
We remind you that in May of this year, a 400,000 Euro mini-PET camera for work with small laboratory animals was installed in the labs of the Center. This equipment was purchased with a loan form the World Bank within the S&T project financed by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports.
With the opening of the Center for Nuclear Molecular Diagnostics at the RBI, Croatia joins the ranks of other European countries who use this modern technology for the commercial production of radiopharmaceuticals and radioisotopes required for clinical PET/CT diagnostics of human tumors. The Center allows Croatia to support competitive, modern preclinical research which opens up the possibility for creating collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies and scientific institutionos throughout Europe.
