The Department of Energy and the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) have begun routine production of gadolinium-153, creating the only domestic supply of the radioisotope, and addressing a recent global shortage that affected diagnostic imaging operations.

Gadolinium-153 is used to calibrate single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) systems, which support three-dimensional imaging for conditions involving the brain, bones and heart. A halt in international production in 2023 disrupted availability, raising concerns about the reliability of imaging services that depend on the isotope.

The DOE’s Office of Isotope R&D and Production is working with the Columbia, Missouri-based reactor facility to produce the material, with Oak Ridge National Laboratory handling purification of precursor materials. The organizations say production is underway and is being scaled to address a backlog created during the supply interruption.
“Having a Gd-153 production pipeline within the United States is a major benefit for our nation and the world,” said Christopher Landers, director of the DOE’s Office of Isotope R&D and Production. “Establishing secure domestic supply chains of critical isotopes, like Gd-153, is central to the mission of IRP and its role in meeting the needs of the nation from health care to national security and everything in between.”

The University of Missouri Research Reactor has participated in the DOE’s university isotope network since 2017 and will supply the isotope for commercial distribution. Siemens Healthineers is among the companies expected to use the material in its imaging systems.

“MURR’s research, development, and production teams work together to bring new isotope technologies to fruition,” said Matt Sanford, executive director of MURR.

The effort reflects broader federal priorities to stabilize domestic radioisotope production following recent supply chain disruptions, particularly for materials tied to diagnostic imaging and nuclear medicine.

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