Michael R. Kilbourn
Papers
3
Total Citations
110
H-Index
3
About
Michael R. Kilbourn is a pioneering figure in radiochemistry and molecular imaging, best known for his transformative work in the automated synthesis of positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals. His research centers on the development of efficient, reproducible methods for producing key tracers used in positron emission tomography (PET), with a particular focus on robotics and automation. Kilbourn’s major contributions include the first application of a commercial laboratory robot—the Zymark Zymate system—to radiopharmaceutical preparation, enabling the controlled synthesis of fluorine-18 16 alpha-fluoroestradiol-17 beta, a critical tracer for estrogen receptor imaging. He further advanced the field by establishing a routine robotic method for producing 2-deoxy-2[18F]fluoro-d-glucose (FDG), the most widely used PET tracer in oncology and neurology, and by demonstrating that a single robot could automate the production of multiple radiopharmaceuticals. His work, cited over 100 times across his most influential papers, has had a lasting impact on clinical PET imaging, making tracer production safer, more reliable, and more accessible. Kilbourn’s innovations laid the groundwork for modern automated radiochemistry, earning him recognition as a leader in the integration of robotics into nuclear medicine.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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