Melissa Deri

Title: Melissa Deri: Innovator in Targeted PET Imaging

Introduction

Melissa Deri is a prominent inventor based in Holtsville, NY (US). She has made significant contributions to the field of therapeutics and imaging technologies. Her innovative work focuses on enhancing the safety and efficacy of PET imaging through advanced chelation techniques.

Latest Patents

Melissa holds a patent for "Compositions for therapeutics, targeted PET imaging and methods of their use." This patent describes a novel chelator for radiolabels, such as Zirconium (Zr), which serves as an alternative to the commonly used DFO. The ligand, 3,4,3-(LI-1,2-HOPO) ('HOPO'), demonstrates equal or superior stability compared to DFO in various chemical and biological assays over several days in vivo. The HOPO acts as an octadentate chelator, effectively stabilizing the chelation of radiolabels. Additionally, a bifunctional ligand comprising p-SCN-Bn-HOPO is introduced, which minimizes the loss of Zr from the chelate in vivo and reduces uptake in non-target tissues. This advancement facilitates safer and improved PET imaging with radiolabeled antibodies.

Career Highlights

Throughout her career, Melissa has worked with esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and City University of New York. Her experience in these organizations has allowed her to collaborate with leading experts in the field and contribute to groundbreaking research.

Collaborations

Some of her notable coworkers include Jason S. Lewis and Lynn Francesconi. Their collaborative efforts have further advanced the research and development of innovative imaging techniques.

Conclusion

Melissa Deri's contributions to targeted PET imaging represent a significant advancement in the field of therapeutics. Her innovative approaches to chelation and imaging technologies continue to pave the way for safer and more effective medical applications.