The major focus of research in the Rogers lab is the radiolabeling of proteins and peptides with various radioactive metals (Cu-64, Ga-68, Zr-89, Y-86,90) for imaging and therapy of cancer. The main targets have been the somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) and the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) that are overexpressed on neuroendocrine, prostate, and breast cancers. Analogs of the eight amino acid peptide, octreotide, are generally used for targeting SSTR2, while analogs of the fourteen amino acid bombesin peptide are generally used for targeting GRPR. These peptides are conjugated with bifunctional chelators for complexing various radioactive metals. Another major area of interest is the development of an imaging system that can be used for non-invasive monitoring gene transfer in gene therapy protocols in collaboration with Dr. Curiel. For the non-invasive monitoring of gene therapy we would like to determine the location, magnitude and change in magnitude over time of the expression of delivered genes. For this, we have used adenoviral vectors encoding SSTR2 that can be targeted with radiolabeled octreotide analogs. Finally, we are developing imaging agents based on an scFv phage display library developed in our lab. These studies also involve collaborations in the Department of Radiology for small animal imaging using microPET and microCT.