NUKLEONIKA 2005, 50(Supplement 3):S83-S87

The paper summarises the 50-years long history of the development of research programmes related to the practical applications of radionuclides in various fields of the Polish economy. The changing trends of interest of the potential users are reflected in the research and development activities of the Radioisotope Centre POLATOM.
In the 1960’s and 1970’s the main areas of activity were focused on the sealed sources and radiolabelled compounds for the investigation of industrial processes. The introduction to the routine practice of the RIA and the IRMA kits for hormonal in vitro diagnostics in the 70-ties and 80-ties resulted in the general availability of this diagnostic technique in Poland. The number of radioisotopes having the required radiation type, energy and half-life is steadily increasing due to the progress in irradiation facilities and in chemical separation processes. The need for modern radiopharmaceuticals, more specific and providing higher diagnostic and therapeutic potential as an alternative to other medical modalities is reflected in the research programmes carried out and implemented currently at the Radioisotope Centre POLATOM.