Summary: Medical Isotopes Without the Nuclear Reactor Episode 43 by Mark A. Ferguson (Click here to directly access the MP3) (Access the full text transcript) Traditionally, nuclear reactors - and the one at Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories in particular - have been used to create medical isotopes. But when the National Reseearch Universal Reactor nuclear reactor at in Chalk River was closed in 2007, it caused a worldwide shortage in these important compounds used in the diagnostic imaging of nearly 6000 patients a day around the world. Creating a new source of isotopes required a new way of doing things - and that’s where synchrotrons and particle accelerators came to the rescue. Listen to learn more… Mark A. Ferguson is a science journalist and communications professional currently working at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron in sunny Saskatoon, SK. He is an alumnus of the University of Saskatchewan, the University of King’s College, and the Banff Science Communications Program. Follow him on Twitter @markaferg
