Our distinct ligand design featuring sequential D-glutamate residues, PSMA-1 [26], (Fig. 1) has resulted in significant tumor uptake with little to no salivary gland uptake when labeled with 125I25, or IR800 [26], Fig. 1B. PSMA-1 was conjugated with the macrocyclic chelator DOTA resulting in PSMA-1-DOTA, Fig. 1A, as described in methods. The gene discussed is PSMA1; the disease is neoplasm.