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Professor of Medical Physics, University of Nottingham

Professor Perkins has been associated with a broad range of work in Medical Physics and imaging. For over 25 years he has undertaken work in Medical Physics at the University of Nottingham especially in the areas of medical imaging and medical radiation physics.

He has extensive experience of nuclear medicine techniques and has used gamma scinitgraphy to study drug delivery in patients and healthy normal subjects. Work with oral dose formulations has led to the development of tablets and capsules with reduced problems for swallowing.

His long standing use of nuclear probes for intra-operative work has led to involvement in the development of a high resolution imager for surgical and bedside applications. In collaboration with Space Research Centre at Leicester University he is working on novel hybrid imaging sytems for intra-operative applications. He is Clinical Director and acting CEO of Gamma Technologies Ltd. a joint spin-out company from the Universities of Leicester and Nottingham that is developing a high resolution hybrid imaging system for the intra-operative detection of cancer .

Collaborations between Prof Perkins group in the Medical Physics Department, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical groups in at Nottingham University Hospitals have resulted in the detailed study of the use of targeted radionuclide therapies. A series of experimental and clinical studies have been carried out for the targeted treatment of cancer including a novel method of targeted radiotherapy for bladder cancer that is administered directly into the bladder using a simple urinary catheter. Previouls work with monoclonal antibodies led to collaborations with the Group at St George's Hospital in Sydney, Australia where the nottingham C595 antibody has been developed as a vector for the more potent alpha emitting radionuclides with high linear energy transfer with the aim of improving the effectiveness of this form of therapy.

In more recent developments in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry at the Open University Prof Perkins is exploring the use of aptamer complexes that offer reduced immunogenicity and excellent tumour penetration properties. The use of aptamers as much smaller targeting agents offers several advantages. These molecules penetrate tumour much faster than whole antibodies, reach peak levels in the tumour earlier, and clear from the body faster, thereby reducing toxicity to healthy tissues. In addition, use of aptamers is expected to overcome the frequently encountered human anti-mouse antibody response as they are non-immunogenic, and their rapid uptake and faster clearance makes them extremely promising vehicles for cytotoxic and imaging agents to be delivered to tumour .

Professor Perkins directs the Nottingham university pre-clinical imaging facility SPOT and is currently collaborating in work in neurodegeneration, infection and the study of brown adipose tissue.

He is past president of the British Nuclear Medicine Society 2010-2012, and Chief editor of the British journal, Nuclear Medicine Communications.

Experience

  • –present
    Professor of Medical Physics, University of Nottingham