Optimization of radiosynthesis of molecular tracers in EWOD microfluidic chip

Electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) microdevices are an emerging platform for rapid radiosyntheses of molecular probes and optimization of reaction conditions. Herein, we present an improved process for [¹⁸F]fluoride drying and synthesis of the intermediate [¹⁸F]fluoro-1,3,4,6-tetra-O- acetyl-D-glucose ([¹⁸F]FTAG) on EWOD with reproducible conversion efficiency of 78±4% (n=11), in comparison to 64±18 % (n=4) in our previous report. Additional optimization studies showed that the radiolabeling reactions were independent of the evaporation and fluorination temperatures over a range from 80-100 °C. Ultimately, this multifunctional EWOD chip could form the basis of a bench-top radiosynthesizer to produce a broad range of PET radiotracers at imaging sites.