New production of iron and manganese radioisotopes creates domestic supply for researchers and Department of Energy.
![Photo of the research reactor at the University of Missouri Research Reactor with the "blue glow."](https://nextgenmurr.missouri.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20230413_MURR_CJH-735-1024x683.jpg)
July 13, 2023
Continuing as an essential leader in domestic isotope production, the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) began production of iron-59 (Fe-59) and manganese-54 (Mn-54) radioisotopes in support of the Department of Energy’s Isotope Program, meant to bolster under-produced or non-available isotopes for researchers in the United States.
As a university partner in the DOE IP University Isotope Network since 2017, MURR is providing quarterly availability of Fe-59, and Mn-54 available every 14 weeks. These two radioisotopes are primarily used in biomedical research including in vitro and in vivo analyses of cell and systemic metabolism.