Christopher M. Kinter
Chemistry Department
U. S. Naval Academy
572 Holloway Rd.
Telephone: (410) 293-6626
Fax: (410) 293-2218
Research Interests
Dr. Kinter's research interest lies in the areas of synthetic organic methodology development and the application of these methods towards the design and synthesis of biomedically relevant molecules. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop selective radioligands for the study of neurotransmitters.
The use of radiotracers for the study of biochemical processes in animals relies heavily on the isotopes C-14 and H-3. Only with the advent of the use of the short-lived, positron emitting isotopes (C-11, N-13, O-15, F-18) and the radioisotopes of iodine (I-123, I-125) have the means become available for extending these studies directly to human subjects. Two imaging modalities using the short-lived isotopes, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), provide the means for noninvasive measurement of neurotransmitter receptor densities and metabolic change in human subjects. In Professor Kinter research neuroreceptor ligands are designed, synthesized, fully characterized, and radiolabeled with either tritium, the positron-emitting isotopes (C-11, F-18), or the radioisotopes of iodine (I-123, I-125). This work is done in collaboration with researchers in the Division of Radiation Health Sciences at The Johns Hopkins University Medical Institute.
This research program has been designed so that students may make significant contributions to the research effort. Within the project are opportunities for organic methodology development, target oriented synthesis, and the study of the incorporation of radioisotopes into pharmacologically important molecules. In so doing, additional experience will be gained by the student in all phases of synthetic organic chemistry, in addition to acquiring knowledge of radiochemical synthesis and the methods involved in drug development
