RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Going Nuclear with Amino Acids and Proteins – Basic Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Primer for the Technologist JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology JO J. Nucl. Med. Technol. FD Society of Nuclear Medicine SP jnmt.122.263847 DO 10.2967/jnmt.122.263847 A1 Glasgow, Krystle Worthington A1 Dillard, Mike A1 Hertenstein, Eric A1 Justin, Allen A1 George, Remo A1 Brady, Amy Byrd YR 2022 UL http://tech.snmjournals.org/content/early/2022/02/23/jnmt.122.263847.abstract AB In recent years, there has been an influx of new tracers into the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. Most of these tracers that have been FDA approved for clinical imaging exploit various mechanisms of protein biochemistry and molecular biology to bring about their actions, such as amino acid metabolism, protein folding, receptor-ligand interactions, and surface transport mechanisms. In this review, we attempt to paint a clear picture of the basic biochemistry and molecular biology of protein structure, translation, transcription, post-translational modifications, and protein targeting, in the context of the various radiopharmaceuticals currently used clinically, all in an easy-to-understand language for entry level technologists in the field. Tracer characteristics, including indications, dosage, injection-to-imaging time, and the logic behind the normal and pathophysiologic biodistribution of these newer molecular tracers, are also discussed.