Comecer is proud to announce the launch of Scientific Bootcamp 2026, an intensive three‑day training event designed as a satellite program to the 12th International Conference on Isotopes (12ICI). This initiative aims to offer an unparalleled learning experience for participants seeking to deepen their expertise in the radiopharmaceutical field.
Hosted at Comecer’s Headquarters, the Scientific Bootcamp combines lectures delivered by internationally renowned experts with hands-on practical sessions conducted directly inside Comecer’s laboratories. The format allows participants to bridge the gap between theory and practice, gaining valuable insight into the latest advancements shaping nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceutical technology.
The program is structured around three main thematic areas: Physical Sciences, Theragnostics and Therapy, Radiochemistry.
Through these pillars, the Bootcamp covers the entire radiopharmaceutical chain, from the production of radioisotopes to synthesis processes, up to their clinical applications in diagnostics and therapy. This comprehensive approach ensures a complete overview of the field, making the event particularly meaningful for professionals, researchers, and early‑career scientists.
What makes the 2026 edition even more significant is its diverse and international audience. The Bootcamp brings together students, professors, industry specialists, and academic researchers from all around the world, transforming the event into a vibrant meeting point for knowledge exchange, scientific dialogue, and global networking. With this initiative, Comecer reinforces its commitment to supporting scientific training and fostering the next generation of experts in nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceutical sciences.
The first edition of the Comecer Scientific Bootcamp received 28 applications from across the world, highlighting the strong international interest in advanced training in radiochemistry, isotope production, and nuclear medicine technologies.
Applications were received from the following countries:
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Australia – 14.3%
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Italy – 10.7%
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Republic of Korea – 7.1%
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South Africa – 7.1%
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Kenya – 7.1%
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United States of America – 7.1%
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Bangladesh – 7.1%
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India – 7.1%
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Thailand – 7.1%
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Romania, Philippines, Algeria, Mauritius, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom – each 3.6%
Due to capacity limitations, not all applicants could be selected, ensuring a focused and high-quality learning environment for the final group of participants.
Scientific Leadership & Mentorship
The Bootcamp brings together internationally recognized experts from academia, international organizations, foundations, and industry, including mentors from: Idaho State University, TRIUMF, Advancell, Oncidium Foundation, University of Fukushima, Comecer.
Special contributions include invited professors and speakers actively involved in astatine research, radionuclide production, radioligand therapy, and nuclear medicine technologies, reinforcing the Bootcamp’s strong scientific depth and international relevance.
February 12 - Theory Day at Comecer: Connecting Patients, Production, and Scientific Insight
The first day of the Scientific Bootcamp 2026 unfolded at Comecer with a full immersion into theory, offering participants a comprehensive overview of the radiopharmaceutical landscape - from the patient experience to radionuclide production and radiochemical infrastructure.
The day opened with an inspiring session on Radioligand Therapy from the patient’s perspective, led by Rebecca Lo Bue of the ONCIDIUM Foundation. Her contribution served as a powerful reminder of the human dimension behind technological innovation, highlighting the real impact that radiopharmaceutical science has on patients’ lives.
Following this introduction, the program guided attendees through the complete production ecosystem of medical radioisotopes. International experts provided an in‑depth look at the different technologies, processes, and challenges involved:
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Radionuclide production with proton and electron accelerators
Speaker: Valeriia Starovoitova -
Radionuclide production with nuclear reactors
Speaker: Andrew Burgoyne -
From Cyclotron to Clinic: Astatine‑211 in Nuclear Medicine
Speaker: Kohshin Washiyama -
Hot cells environment and radiochemical purification
Speakers: Valery Radchenko & Mario Malinconico
Throughout the day, participants gained a clearer understanding of how clinical needs intersect with isotope production and radiochemical engineering. This theoretical foundation will play a key role in preparing them for the upcoming hands‑on laboratory sessions, where they will further explore the practical aspects of radiopharmaceutical development.
Theory Day at Comecer successfully bridged patient-centered perspectives, scientific research, and industrial technologies - reinforcing the Bootcamp’s mission to offer a comprehensive, high‑level training experience to students, professionals, and researchers from around the world.
February 13 - Hands-on Lab Activities: From Theory to Practice at Comecer
The final two days of the Scientific Bootcamp 2026 were dedicated entirely to hands‑on training, marking a decisive shift from theoretical foundations to real laboratory practice. Students and young professionals were divided into small groups, allowing them to work closely with experts and directly engage with authentic radiopharmaceutical environments inside Comecer’s facilities.
Participants had the opportunity to perform a wide range of practical activities, each designed to strengthen their technical skills and deepen their understanding of radiopharmaceutical production workflows.
Among the exercises offered:
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Writing chemical recipes using synthesis module software - A crucial step for mastering automated synthesis procedures used in radiopharmacy.
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Electroplating zinc to prepare targets for solid target systems - Allowing participants to understand target manufacturing processes used in radionuclide production.
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Solution preparation, dissolution, and purification - Key operations for handling radioactive materials and preparing compounds safely and accurately.
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Operation of automatic injector systems (IRIS) and dose calibrators - Guided by Frans Wijmans from Comecer Netherlands, who provided in‑depth demonstrations of clinical‑grade injection and measurement technologies.
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Exploration of isolator and hot cell environments - Offering a rare opportunity to work inside shielded containment systems used for radiochemical processing.
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Visit to the calibration center - To understand quality control procedures and regulatory aspects essential for clinical applications.
These immersive activities allowed participants to translate the radioligand therapy concepts introduced during Theory Day into concrete operations: from preparing targets and handling purification processes to working with injection systems, hot cells, and specialized laboratory equipment.
The experience provided a full‑circle understanding of the radiopharmaceutical chain.
By placing attendees directly inside real laboratory environments, Comecer’s Bootcamp reinforces its mission to bridge the gap between academic education and real‑world radiopharmaceutical production. For many participants, these two days represented their first opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to authentic industrial workflows - an invaluable step in their professional development.
February 14 - A Day in Motion at the Scientific Bootcamp
On Saturday, the focus was on movement, teamwork and experiential learning. The four groups of students, each guided by their mentors, rotated across the different hands-on stations planned in the programme throughout the day.
Each group faced new challenges, tools and discussions at every activity, ensuring that by the end of the day, everyone had completed the full scientific journey we had designed.
This rotating format allowed students to:
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experience all the planned activities
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work closely with different mentors
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exchange ideas, approaches and perspectives at every step
It was intense, dynamic and collaborative - exactly how applied science should feel.
February 15 - Opening Ceremony | 12ICI – Celebrating the Comecer Scientific Bootcamp
The Comecer Scientific Bootcamp has officially come to a close. We have now arrived in Florence to attend 12ICI, the main conference, for which the Comecer Scientific Bootcamp proudly served as an official satellite event.
During the 12ICI Opening Ceremony, we had the honor of formally concluding the Bootcamp in front of the entire ICI community, recognizing all participating students for their commitment and teamwork over these intense days.
What began as an intensive training initiative evolved into a meaningful exchange between industry, academia, mentors, and young professionals, united by curiosity and a shared passion for nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceutical sciences. We extend our sincere thanks to all mentors and students for their energy and dedication, and a special thank you to Flavia Groppi for her outstanding work and collaboration in making this experience possible.
On behalf of Comecer, Mario Malinconico chaired the ICI Opening Session and presented Attendance Certificates to all students and mentors who took part in the Bootcamp - a final moment designed to emphasize, once again, the strong connection between the Bootcamp and 12ICI, of which it was an official satellite event.
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