The Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH) Research Group is a multidisciplinary team focused on the development, preclinical validation and clinical translation of targeted drugs for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, mainly based on Single-Domain Antibody (SdAb) technology. The three overarching application domains are i) diagnostic nuclear imaging; ii) targeted radionuclide therapy, and iii) intraoperative imaging. MITH relies on extensive expertise in protein engineering, radiochemistry, in vivo preclinical imaging, image processing and analysis, and GMP-certified production of biological medicines for further clinical use.
MITH has laboratories on the Health Campus in Building K and L, as well as dedicated clean rooms within UZBrussel, all working in unison to bring SdAb technology from bench to bedside for the benefit of the patient.
The process starts with the development of SdAbs targeting various disease-related receptors. To that end, MITH has integrated laboratories to produce and modify self-produced proteins and characterise them in vitro within the Vector Development Unit (VDU). The preclinical part of VDU is focussed on protein expression in E. coli or P. pastoris, followed by state-of-the-art purification and validation systems.
Additionally, the VDU is equipped with its own cGMP clean room facility for small-scale productions of SdAbs and other small biomolecules in P. pastoris.
The Radiochemistry Unit (RCU) is specially equipped to work safely with different types of medical radioisotopes. The RCU has dedicated 'hot' laminar flow cabinets and hotcells for different types of (gamma, beta- & beta+, and alpha) radiation. As partner of the Brussels Imaging Pharmacy (BIP) Platform, MITH has access to a GMP-compliant radiopharmacy with an on-site cyclotron (KIUBE 18 MeV) and 6 hotcels for routine production of fluorine-18 for [18F]FDG, or custom labeling of other radiopharmaceuticals.
MITH runs the In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging (ICMI) core facility, which centrally houses various preclinical imaging modalities, specialised in (protein-based) nuclear and optical imaging of small animals. The ICMI core facility is equipped with a myriad of state-of-the art multi-modality cameras and ex vivo analysis techniques to study tracer biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, dosimetry, and therapeutic efficacy of (radio)pharmaceuticals. The new intravital microscopy unit provides microscopic imaging of living cells while they are in their true and complex environment.
In addition to the research focus of the MITH group, all facilities are open for collaboration with academic and industrial partners. Whether you wish to
- produce or radiolabel a small GMP batch of a biomolecule
- acquire deeper insights into fundamental research questions
- better understand drug targeting and pharmacokinetics in order to accelerate drug development,
the MITH research group can provide you with the necessary expertise and infrastructure.