Radiotheranostics in Nuclear Medicine

CIVIS focus area: Health
Open to: Bachelor's

Master's

PhD candidates/ students
Field of studies: Medicine and Health
Type: Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP)
Course dates: 19 January - 4 July 2025

This medical discipline is a rapidly evolving field that combines the use of diagnostic molecular imaging with targeted radionuclide therapy for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. This new Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) on radiotheranostics will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practice of radiotheranostics.

The BIP involves 4 CIVIS alliance partner universities (ULB, NKUA, TUB, AMU). Also, we have selected a number of internationally recognized academic experts in this discipline to offer students the highest scientific and pedagogical quality.

Main topics addressed

These course consists of two parts:

the online part of the programme will introduce the basic concepts of radiotheranostics. Participants will complete modules on radiobiology, radiochemistry, radiopharmacy, cancer biology, medical physics, and nuclear physics.
the face-to-face part of the programme will provide participants with hands-on experience in radiotheranostics. Participants will participate in modules involving theoretical and case practice on a computer with a medical visualization station, as well as more in-depth discussions on more difficult clinical situations. In addition, students will also have the opportunity to follow a patient's radionuclide treatment and visit the radiopharmacy laboratory in the Nuclear Medicine Department of the Brussels University Hospital (H.U.B).

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this Blended Intensive Programme, the participants will be able to:

understand the basic principles of radiobiology, radiochemistry, radiopharmacy, cancer biology, medical physics, and nuclear physics as applied to radiotheranostics;
know what can radiotheranostics be used for today;
know the criteria to identify patients likely to be treated by this technique;
know the determining factors that can be influenced to deliver a personalised treatment;
use computerized image processing tools to analyze and interpret some example of radiotheranostic nuclear medicine images.

Dates: 19 January - 4 July 2025	Total workload: 80 hours
Format: Blended	ECTS: 3*
Location: Brussels, Belgium	Language: English (C1)
Contact: erwin.woff@hubruxelles.be

*Recognition of ECTS depends on your home university.

Physical mobility

The physical mobility part of the course will take place in Brussels, between 30 June - 4 July 2025. Building upon the foundational knowledge acquired through the online courses, the physical component of the program delves deeper into the biomedical scientific principles of these radiotheranostics and practical applications of radiotheranostics will be offered. Participants will engage in interactive sessions with the instructors/ professors that reinforce their understanding and equip them with the skills to apply radiotheranostic techniques in real-world settings.

A key highlight of the face-to-face program is the opportunity to witness the practical application of radiotheranostics firsthand. Participants will embark on a guided tour of the radiopharmacy laboratory, gaining insights into the intricate processes involved in radiopharmaceutical preparation. Additionally, they will observe the treatment of a patient using radiotheranostics, gaining firsthand exposure to the clinical implementation of this innovative therapy.

Through this immersive and hands-on approach, participants will solidify their understanding of radiotheranostics and gain the confidence to apply their knowledge in their respective fields. To foster a deeper understanding and engagement with radiotheranostics, the program incorporates a range of innovative pedagogical approaches:

problem-based learning
visualization of complex clinical cases
observing radionuclide treatment
radiopharmacy laboratory and preclinical research facilities visit

Virtual part

The virtual component of the course will be running from 19 January to 28 March 2025:

Module 1: Radiotheranostics Overview

Introduction to Radiotheranostics

Module 2: Radiochemistry and Radiopharmacy

Basics of Radiochemistry
Radiopharmacy Practices

Module 3: Radiobiology

Fundamentals of Radiobiology
Radiobiological Principles in Therapy

Module 4: Cancer Biology

Introduction to Cancer Biology
Targeted Therapies in Cancer

Module 5: Nuclear Physics and Medical Physics

Basics of Nuclear Physics
Principles of Medical Physics
Dosimetry in Radiotheranostics

Requirements

This course is open to Bachelor's, Master's and PhD students enrolled in one of the CIVIS member universities, with fundamental knowledge of chemistry, physics and biology. The applicants should also have critical thinking, data analysis and English skills (C1 level).

NB: Visiting Students - Erasmus Funding Eligibility

To be eligible for your selected CIVIS programme, you must be a fully enrolled student at your CIVIS home university at the time you will be undertaking the programme. Click here to learn more about the eligibility criteria.

Students from CIVIS’ strategic partner universities in Africa cannot apply for participation in this course.

Application process

Send your application by filling in the online application form by 31 October 2024. Don't forget to also include:

CV
Motivation letter
Research Project Outlines
Level of English (C1) - according to CEFR

Student's evaluation will be based on:

academic background: degree in medicine, pharmacy, medical physics, molecular biology, or a related field;
professional experience: previous experience in nuclear medicine, oncology, radiology, or relevant research laboratories;
motivation and goals;
technical skills: basic knowledge of radiobiology, radiopharmacy, and medical imaging;
research skills.

Apply now

Assessment

The assessment will consist of:

oral examination for the online component, scheduled for the end of March;
written evaluation for the physical component, scheduled on the last day of the component.

Blended Intensive Programme

This CIVIS course is a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP): a new format of Erasmus+ mobility which combines online teaching with a short trip to another campus to learn alongside students and professors across Europe. Click here to learn more about CIVIS BIPs.

GDPR Consent

The CIVIS alliance and its member universities will treat the information you provide with respect. Please refer to our privacy policy for more information on our privacy practices. By applying to this course, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

Erwin Woff, Professor of Nuclear Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and Professor of Medical Imaging at the University of Mons (UMONS). He is a hospital professor in the Nuclear Medicine Department at the Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B).

Wendy Delbart (Université libre de Bruxelles) is a biomedical scientist in the Nuclear Medicine Department at Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels, Belgium.

Stavros Spiliopoulos, Associate Professor of Interventional Radiology, at the 2nd Department of Radiology, of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Attikon” University General Hospital, Greece and an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.

Benjamin Guillet, Professor in Pharmacology and Physiology at the faculty of pharmacy (Aix-Marseille Univ), professor of “Institut national des sciences et techniques nucléaires” and head of Radiopharmacy department of Marseille University Hospital. B Guillet is also Director of European Imaging research center (CERIMED).

Hugo Levillain, medical physicist and head of R&D in the Department of Medical Physics at the Brussels University Hospital and professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB).

Zéna Wimana, lecturer and supervisor of internships and master's theses at the ULB Faculty of Pharmacy.

Ayça Arçay Öztürk (Université libre de Bruxelles), nuclear medicine physician currently working as a PhD research fellow at the Nuclear Medicine Department, HUB - Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels, Belgium, since January 2022.

Magdalena Mileva (Université libre de Bruxelles), nuclear medicine physician currently working as a PhD research fellow in the Nuclear Medicine Department at the Institut Jules Bordet in Brussels, Belgium.

Ioannis Karfis (Université libre de Bruxelles), Senior University Practitioner in the Nuclear Medicine Department of Jules Bordet Institute/HUB (Brussels) and head of the ULB NET Center (an ENETS Center of Excellence in neuroendocrine tumors).

Isabel Marin-Melero (Université libre de Bruxelles) - Nuclear Medicine Physician, Brussels University Hospital (HUB).

Carlos Artigas (Université libre de Bruxelles) - nuclear medicine physician currently working at Institut Jules Bordet, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles, as Director of Clinic. He is associate professor at ULB faculty of medicine and Full Professor at the school of technologists in medical imaging at Ilya Prigogine Institut HELB. Brussels.

Clémentine Marin (Université libre de Bruxelles) – medical physicist in the nuclear medicine department at Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Belgium.

Alain Hendlisz, Head of the Gastro-Enterology Unit, Medical Oncology Clinic at the Jules Bordet Institute, Anti-Cancer Center – Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.