The University of Missouri Research Reactor Center (MURR) has been granted a renewed operating license, the school said, allowing the 10 megawatt facility that opened in 1966 to continue operating for another 20 years.
The reactor operates six and a half days a week, 52 weeks a year, Missourinet reported. While contributing to research in archaeology, epidemiology and zoology, its primary function is to create about 30 different radioisotopes that are used to fight cancer.
MURR put out about 1,000 shipments of radioisotopes in 2016, Missourinet reported. The eventual target is cancer-stricken patients. “They are eventually put into a patient to hopefully either kills the cancer or maybe increase their quality of life by allowing them to live longer in a healthier setting,” said MURR Associate Director Les Foyto.
Foyto claims that MURR has the most rigorous schedule of any research reactor in the world, making its license renewal a critical factor for many.
“There is no other research or test reactor, not only in this country but internationally, that runs on our schedule, just because we have to be reliable of sending those isotopes to these patients that really need them,” he said.
“Having just celebrated 50 years of cutting-edge research accomplishments, including collaborations that brought new radiopharmaceuticals to market, this milestone accomplishment of a new NRC operating license is great news for cancer patients, university researchers and economic development in the state of Missouri,” said, MURR Executive Director Ralph Butler in a statement.