What is Radiation Biology?
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 Maryland do?
The RRL is involved in 3 major activities related to radiation, free radical,
and cancer biology at The University of Maryland; these are teaching, research,
and service. Teaching activity involves the organization and presentation
of courses within the graduate program in Radiation Biology 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 in normal
and malignant tissues; immunology of radiation-induced small and large
bowel tumors.
Additional research performed by other members of the Graduate Program
in Radiation Biology 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; properties of urologic tumors.
The RRL also serves as an irradiation facility for colleagues within
the College of Medicine and The University of Maryland. 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:
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1. provides information to the public;
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2. serves as a resource to policymakers;
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3. organizes annual scientific conferences to facilitate the sharing of
the newest research findings;
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4. coordinates interactions with similar societies in others areas of the
world; and
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5. 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 Page.
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