Import substitution for biologists and oncologists
Tomsk Polytechnic University has established the only production of orthophosphoric acid in Russia based on deficient phosphorus-32
TPU has started commercial deliveries of phosphoric acid based on the isotope phosphorus-32, used for biochemical research, diagnosis and therapy of oncological diseases. The production line has been launched at the site of the TPU research nuclear reactor. To date, this is the only production in Russia. Prior to the launch of production in Tomsk, Russian consumers, namely research and medical centers, were forced to order phosphorus-32 abroad.
The radioactive isotope phosphorus-32 is actively used for biochemical research. It is embedded in nucleic acids, which in living organisms participate in all metabolic processes, and replaces stable phosphorus-31. Since phosphorus-32 is a beta emitter, its movement through the body can be tracked using modern radiometric equipment. If it accumulates excessively in some organ, then this may indicate a violation of metabolic processes.
Phosphorus-32 is also used directly for radiation therapy. A radiopharmaceutical based on it is injected into the patient's body in the form of a solution, suspension, or granules that are absorbed by the body, and the isotope, accumulating in certain organs, irradiates the affected cells, minimally affecting healthy tissues. The only production of this isotope in Russia was previously stopped in 2012. At the same time, the demand for phosphorus-32 from biologists and physicians is constantly growing.
"We produce phosphoric acid based on phosphorus-32 (H 3 P 32 O 4). It is used for the synthesis of nucleotides, which are used in biochemical research and the synthesis of drugs. The first batches have already gone to customers – these are the Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Novosibirsk and the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry. Academicians M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov in Moscow.
According to the customers, the quality of our preparations surpasses foreign analogues in all parameters – radiochemical and radionuclide purity, molar activity," says Igor Shamanin, Head of the Department of Technical Physics of TPU.
Deliveries are still carried out in small batches of 4-5 gigabecquerels per month, the entire production line is designed to supply up to 100 gigabecquerels per month.
According to scientists, customers from other countries have already shown interest in Tomsk orthophosphoric acid.
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