The Life Sciences Division at TRIUMF pursues both fundamental and applied research and development under three core pillars: studies and applications with ions beams, nuclear chemistry, and the application of isotopes to understand life at the molecular level. To achieve our goals, we rely on all accelerators at TRIUMF – from 13 to 520 MeV, including the emerging electron linear accelerator – all of which hold potential as key drivers for research in core areas. Together with our radiochemistry and beta-NMR laboratories, the division maintains cutting-edge facilities and expertise in the research and development of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals for use in nuclear medicine, radiotherapy and the broader life sciences.
List of Life Sciences Division Facilities
Cold Chemistry Lab
Primarily used to do cold chemistry work and to synthesize peptides, chelators and other tracers that will be attached to a radioisotope for further work in RCR-2, and subsequently for testing in the Cell lab.
Hot cell lab (RCR-1)
High-level radiation lab, which contains 4 Von Gahlen hot cells used primarily for high-level production of radioisotopes (ex. actinium-225 and technetium-99) and testing of in-house-built synthesis modules
Radiochemistry lab (RCR-2)
Low-level radiation lab that contains 6 shielded fume hoods. Work entails labeling with various isotopes that have been produced in-house (with TRIUMF's TR13 cyclotron) or bought in externally from other isotope providers. Examples of isotopes worked with are Hg-197, F-18, Cu-67, Zr-89, and In-111.
betaNMR facility at ISAC
The are currently three betaNMR spectrometers available for experiments at the ISAC-I facility at TRIUMF: 1) a low-field (up to 300 G) NQR spectrometer; 2) mid-field (up to 1.2 T) SRF spectrometer, and 3) and a hight-field (up to 9 T) NMR spectrometer.
IAMI (in progress)
The Institute for Advanced Medical Isotopes (IAMI) is a state-of-the-art facility for research into next-generation, life-saving medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals. Located on TRIUMF’s campus, it will comprise an integrated series of labs and a TR-24 medical cyclotron, one of the most technologically advanced commercial cyclotrons in the world. IAMI will significantly increase British Columbia’s and Canada’s capacity for the sustainable and reliable production and distribution of medical isotopes currently critical for Canadian health research and clinical use, including technetium-99m and fluorine-18.