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A world of hope through accelerator- based science and technologies.
iThemba LABS: A world of hope through accelerator- based science and technologies.
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Our aim is to be the leading African organisation for research, training and expertise in accelerator-based sciences and technologies. iThemba means HOPE, while LABS is the acronym for Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Sciences.
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iThemba LABS is proud of its local and international status as a leading facility for accelerator-based sciences.
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iThemba LABS: Key facts
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The only producer in South Africa of accelerator-based radionuclides, radiopharmaceuticals for nuclear medicine and mainstream radiopharmaceuticals for positron emission tomography (PET) studies, houses the only PEPT-facility in the Southern hemisphere,
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is home to a high-resolution magnetic spectrometer (K600) to measure proton energies in the 66 – 200 MeV range. A 0o-mode was recently added to expand capabilities, is the only facility globally to offer both protons and neutrons for particle therapy,
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is the world’s only producer of current Good Manufacture Practise (cGMP) 68Ge/68Ga generators and 22Na-positron sources for annihilation studies, and supplies 25% of the world’s demand for 82Sr.
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iThemba LABS has commissioned a beam-splitter facility – making it the 2nd facility in the world where particle beams are split and the ONLY facility where the beam rotator is utilised.
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This will enable enhanced production – being able to irradiate two different target stations simultaneously.
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iThemba LABS: Welcome to our world
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iThemba LABS has facilities in two of South Africa’s provinces: the Western Cape and Gauteng.
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The Western Cape centre houses:
a 200-MeV Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC), two injector cyclotrons (SPC1, SPC2) and a 6-MV Van de Graaff Accelerator.
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Three user groups apply the particle beams delivered by the accelerators in:
basic and applied research, particle radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer and production of radioactive isotopes for application in nuclear medicine and research.
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A range of environmental samples is analysed using stable isotopes at the centre’s Environmental Isotope Laboratory. The analysis capabilities are enhanced through the availability of a 370 GBq Am-Be source for neutron activation studies.
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iThemba LABS is a global player in the production of accelerator-based radionuclides.
Much of its research and development is based on the availability of particle beams.
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Production of the PARTICLE BEAM
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It all starts at the ion source – the nuclei of hydrogen atoms.
The nuclei are accelerated by an injector cyclotron before finally entering the Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC) where they are accelerated to 66 MeV.
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The SSC at iThemba LABS can accelerate protons to a maximum energy of 200 MeV. At this speed, a proton could travel four times around the earth in 1 second.
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The 66-MeV proton beam has two end-stations (user communities) within iThemba LABS multidisciplinary facility. It is either used to generate neutrons through a collision with a Be-target or it is used to produce radionuclides through nuclear reactions with various solid targets.
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Particle therapy PROGRAMME
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iThemba LABS is the only facility in the Southern hemisphere offering both proton and neutron therapy as a treatment modality.
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The neutrons generated are used for neutron therapy with the aid of a Gantry which allows the tumour to be irradiated from different directions. The floor in the treatment vault opens to allow the Gantry to rotate a full 360o.
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The 200-MeV protons are used for fixed-beam proton therapy specialising in tumours located in the head and neck regions.
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Radionuclide PRODUCTION
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iThemba LABS is the leading African producer of:
accelerator-based radiopharmaceuticals such as 123I, 67Ga and 81Rb/81mKr generators
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18F-FDG and current Good Manufacture Practise (cGMP) 68Ge/68Ga generators for PET-studies
22Na-positron sources for annihilation studies, 82Sr and 88Y.
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iThemba LABS: Shaping the future
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iThemba Labs is committed to:
developing a beamsplitter capable of delivering two beams of different intensities, thereby increasing the production of radionuclides,
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establishing an accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) facility at iThemba LABS - Gauteng, the second in Africa, establishing a radioactive ion beam (RIB) facility to extend research capability and ensure competitive advantage.
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iThemba LABS: A world of hope through accelerator-based
science and technology.
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For more INFO: or visit
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