What Is Radiation Biology?
The science of radiation biology is dedicated to understanding the effects
of radiation on living things. To many, the effects of radiation on living
organisms are considered paradoxical; radiation is known to cause cancer,
yet as administered in clinical radiotherapy, radiation represents the
major anti-cancer modality in terms of successful tumor cure and patient
survival. Studies on the physical, biological, and chemical changes which
follow the interaction of radiation with living matter are of fundamental
importance in understanding how radiation can be used to investigate normal
and aberrant cell structure and function, and to diagnose and treat a
variety of diseases, particularly cancer.
What does the Radiation Research Laboratory at Iowa do?
The RRL is involved in three major activities related to radiation, free
radical, and cancer biology at The University of Iowa; these are teaching,
research, and service. Teaching activity involves the organization and
presentation of courses within the Free Radical and Radiation Biology
Graduate Program and other graduate and undergraduate courses, teaching
radiation biology to residents in the Divisions of Radiation Oncology
and Diagnostic Radiology, to fourth year medical students, and to Nuclear
Medicine and x-ray technologists.
The RRL maintains a highly interactive research program in cancer research,
directed at the development of novel approaches to cancer therapy. Within
this broad framework, both in vitro and in vivo models have been developed,
in which cellular and molecular techniques can be applied. Current research
programs include: the role of antioxidant enzymes and free radicals in
cancer; the transfection of antioxidant enzymes as an antitumor therapy;
radiation-induced alterations in gene expression; redox regulation of
transcription factor activation, oncogenes, and suppressor genes; carcinogenesis;
gene therapy; photodynamic therapy; oxidative events in cancer therapy;
the use of polyunsaturated fatty acids in radiation therapy; pathogenesis
of radiation-induced normal tissue injury; cell population kinetics innormal
and malignant tissues; immunology of radiation-induced small and large
bowel tumors.
Additional research performed by other members of the Free Radical and
Radiation Biology Graduate Program in other laboratories within the University
include in vivo imaging with positron emission tomography; development
of detectors for positrons and gamma rays; synthesis of positron-emitting
radiopharmaceuticals; three dimensional treatment planning; and properties
of urologic tumors.
The RRL also serves as an irradiation facility for colleagues within
the College of Medicine and The University of Iowa. Faculty provide expertise
concerning dosimetry, design of equipment for specialized radiation procedures,
and radiation biology.
Radiation Research Society
Many many thousands of people around the world make use of radiation
each day in their work. Thus, there is a continuing need for research
and education in the area of radiation biology. In North America there
are nearly 2000 members of the Radiation Research Society, a scientific
society that serves the need of practioners
in this area of science. The society:
- provides information to the public;
- serves as a resource to policymakers;
- organizes annual scientific conferences to facilitate the sharing
of the newest research findings;
- coordinates interactions with similar societies in others areas of
the world; and
- oversees the publication of the scientific journal, Radiation Research.
More information on the society and the journal can be found on the Radiation
Research Society and Radiation Research home pages.
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