More than 40 years teaching radioisotopes techniques at the School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry of the Buenos Aires University.

ZUBILLAGA M,; GOLDMAN C; SALGUEIRO J; MARTÍN G; CALMANOVICI G; DAVIO C; CRICCO G; COCCA C; KLECHA A; GENARO A; BIANCHÍN A; GUTIÉRREZ A; MOHAMAD N; NÚÑEZ M; LEONARDI N; MEDINA V; CREMASCHI G; RIVERA E; BERGOC R

Bruselas, Bélgica

Congreso; 5th International Conference on Isotopes; 2005

Ionizing radiation and radioisotopes are currently used in science and technology giving a great contribution to the improvement of our life and welfare. Some of the fields in which radioactive sources have been used during the last 60 years are: biology, biochemistry, medicine and pharmacology. The wildly spread use of ionizing radiation and radioisotopes in Argentina takes place at more than 1700 facilities, which operate in Nuclear Medicine (99Mo-99mTc columns, 131I), telecobalt therapy, Industry (60Co, 137Cs), biochemistry (125I, 32P) and research (99Mo-99mTc, 125I, 32P, others). All these centers have professionals trained in the field of radioprotection and they have been authorized by the Nuclear Regulatory Authority. At the School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry of the Buenos Aires University, Argentina, we teach radioisotopes methodology at different levels, to harmonize the use of these methodologies with environmental preservation and to provide education and training on radioprotection. Currently, the School offers six different courses: 1. Methodology of Radioisotopes for undergraduate students in the Biochemistry Career (140 hrs), which gives them the guidelines for the adequate application and management of radioactive materials for their future work. 2. Methodology of Radioisotopes for post-graduates in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry or other related disciplines. 3. Course for Graduates in Medicine. Their syllabus (222 hrs) includes basic knowledge on radioisotope techniques, radiodosimetry, radioactive waste management and regulations. 4. Up-date on Methodology of Radioisotopes (100 hrs) for professionals wishing to up-date their knowledge specially on radioprotection aspects. 5. Course for Technicians in Nuclear Medicine (200 hrs), which mainly emphasizes the operational aspects of radioprotection at technician level. 6. Radiopharmacy, for undergraduate students in the Pharmacy Career (226 hrs). The goal of this course is to train Pharmacists in the preparation and quality control of radiopharmaceuticals for industry and radiopharmacies. The experience in research and teaching of more than 40 years in our Laboratory contributes to the professional and technical formation of the experts. We have a staff of more than 20 scientists and professors, most of them with the maximum academic degree (Ph.D.) and the participation of specialists from the National Nuclear Regulatory Authority, the Nuclear Medicine Services, and others. poster