Antimatter against cancer?

Michal Juríček, in collaboration with the Holland Lab, explore how scientists use radioactive molecules and antimatter to detect and treat cancer.

By designing molecules that selectively bind to cancer cells like a key to a lock, the research team of Jason Holland attach radionuclides that decay and release positrons. These positrons meet electrons and release energy that is detected by specialized PET cameras, creating a real-time 3D map of the cancer’s location.

But it doesn’t stop at imaging. We reveal how the very same targeting molecules can be paired with different radionuclides — one to visualize tumors, another to deliver radiation that destroys cancer cells — turning science fiction into one of the most powerful tools in modern medicine.

From diagnosis to therapy, this is precision medicine powered by chemistry.

Produced with Matúš Okajček.

Chemistry Unwrapped.