Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99)

Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) is a radioisotope used as the parent isotope in technetium-99m (99mTc) generators. It decays via beta emission to 99mTc, a metastable nuclear isomer of technetium widely used in nuclear medicine. The Mo-99 is adsorbed onto an alumina column in the generator, and as it decays, the resulting 99mTc (as pertechnetate) is eluted with saline, providing a readily available source of the radiotracer for diagnostic imaging. While Mo-99 itself isn't directly a therapeutic target, its role as a precursor to 99mTc makes it crucial for a wide range of diagnostic procedures.

Other names

99MoMolybdenum‑99

Serves as the parent isotope in a technetium generator, decaying to produce technetium-99m, which is then used as a radiotracer for diagnostic imaging. The mechanism of action is based on the gamma emission of technetium-99m, which is detected by gamma cameras to visualize organ function and structure.