MEDICAL PHYSICS & RADIOBIOLOGY

Medical Physics and Radiobiology (MPR)

NuMeRI is dedicated to advancing radiation science in nuclear medicine, offering cutting-edge technologies for medical physics and radiobiology (MPR) research. We facilitate seamless integration of multidisciplinary approaches through our work with academics, industry partners, and healthcare practitioners.

Revolutionary Radiopharmaceutical Treatments

In this era of novel radiopharmaceutical agents, MPR applies physics-based research in radiation science and the biological basis for optimal use of ionising radiation. Collaborative research in medical physics and radiobiology forms the foundation for evidence-based data, essential for radiopharmaceutical therapy. This effort supports the integration of multidisciplinary diagnosis and therapeutic approaches, enhancing patient care and maximising the potential of radiopharmaceutical treatments.

Medical Physics

Medical physics applies mathematics and physics to understand the interaction between the human body and ionising radiation. Our goal is to provide accurate quantitative information on energy deposition by ionising radiation for disease diagnosis, treatment, and research, ensuring exposures remain below established radiation tolerance levels to protect normal organs and tissues.

Medical physicists optimise radiation usage for the best patient outcomes while protecting staff and the public. They calculate absorbed doses for diagnosis and therapy, known as internal dosimetry. By embedding medical physics in radiobiology research, MPR develops optimised treatments based on molecularly targeted radionuclide imaging and therapies, improving outcomes for patients with life-threatening diseases such as cancer.

Radiobiology

With the growing variety of radiopharmaceuticals in theragnostic nuclear medicine, radiobiology supports the optimisations endorsed by medical physicists. Internal dosimetry aims to deliver maximum lethal radiation doses to cancerous cells with minimal toxicity to healthy tissue, ensuring the safety and efficacy of radiopharmaceutical treatments.

Radiobiology research delves into biological responses to internal radiation emitters, exploring molecular radiobiology to understand oncogenes and cellular pathways. Personalised treatment planning based on dosimetry improves patient outcomes and survival, while the combination of dosimetry and radiobiology enhances our understanding of tumour and normal tissue responses.

Key Focus: Research

• Dosimetry for theragnostics
• Addressing complications in targeted alpha therapy
• Exploring fundamental and emerging physics concepts, including AI, in collaboration with industry
• Research in investigator clinical trials
• Research in patient-related developments

Key Focus: Training and Teaching

• In-service training for postgraduate students
• Hosting fellows from across Africa as an IAEA collaborating anchor centre

Key Focus: Academic Programmes

• MSc in Medical Physics and Nuclear Science
• PhD in Medical Physics and Nuclear Science