Through LAURICON we will show that the geological age differences between the ore deposits (“contacts”) in the Laurion mining region can be systematically investigated by laboratory analyses. In the next step, these different groups, each one deriving from a different geological “contact”, will be linked with archaeological objects made of Laurion ores (coins, by-products) with the same silver and lead isotopic fingerprint, thereby answering questions from mining archaeology and the wider field of ancient history. I, the post-doc researcher, Dr Frank Hulek, will undertake multi-disciplinary research activites and acquire advanced skills in archaeometric approaches at the NSRC “Demokritos” at Athens under the supervision of Dr Yannis Bassiakos and will carry out two secondment phases at the German Mining Museum. During a placement at the Lavrion Technological and Cultural Park, I will pass on my knowledge to a non-academic institution. The project will increase knowledge about the Laurion mineralization, that, according to recent research, had developed in more than one metallogenetic events. This will be proven by mineralogical and silver plus lead isotope analyses of ore samples from the Laurion. At the same time, these analyses will help to redefine the typical isotope ratios of Laurion ores and by that further improve the accuracy of provenance studies in this project and in archaeometallurgy in general. Based on this improved analytical data, the project will establish a chronology for the introduction of deep shaft mining techniques in the Laurion mining region, using data from Athenian silver coins as reference material. Likewise, the origin of the raw material that was used for silver production at two important workshop sites, Lambrika and Frankolimano, will be investigated. Based on the improved knowledge about Laurion ores developed through LAURICON, it will be possible to tackle the question if local ore sources or similar imported ores/slags were used.

According to WHO, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 20 million new cases and 10 million deaths in 2020. This project addresses the development of a novel compound targeting the fibroblast activation protein, overexpressed in more than 90% of human epithelial cancers. It combines up to four imaging techniques (single-photon emission computed tomography, positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance, and optical imaging) and two therapeutic approaches (radionuclide therapy and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT)). The novel compound is based on a dextran scaffold, which acts as a backbone for attachment of i) a FAP-inhibitor based on a quinoline structure, ii) a macrocycle chelator for complexation with Gadolinium, Technetium-99m, Rhenium-188, Gallium-68, and Lutetium-177 for imagining or radionuclide therapy, iii) carborane for BNCT and iv) fluorescent dye for optical imaging. The aim is to achieve a tailor-made combination of unique and versatile properties by adapting the multifunctional structure of the ligand compound throughout different imaging and therapeutic procedures using a simple and robust labeling protocol, exploiting the outstanding properties of each moiety and conferring our compound with precisely designed functionalities. The implementation and delivery of high-impact outcomes will be achieved following a well-defined route. The long-term objective of this project is to determine whether vial kits for imaging and therapy can be developed. The novel ligand will be synthesized following well-established methodologies and fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and NMR. Then, the radiolabeling procedures of the ligand with the radionuclides will be optimized, and a kit formulation will be developed. At the same time, the project will determine the inhibitory activities of the radiolabeled compounds and their applicability for in vivo imaging and radionuclide therapy in FAP-positive tumor-bearing mice.